James E. Gayhart

James Gayhart, age 69, of Kewaunee was received into Heaven July 20, 2018. He was born in Wabeno, WI to Elmer and Cecelia (nee’ Hilden) Gayhart on June 25, 1949. He was raised in the Grand Plank Hotel owned by his parents. From an early age Jim’s parent’s instilled in him their family conviction to treat everyone in their presence like family. He had an outstanding ability to encourage, support and praise others and often cared more about his friends, family, and community than he did about himself. He could also be trusted to provide his unvarnished opinion, whether it was welcomed or not, if he felt it was necessary to secure a positive consequence.

Jim worked for the U. S. Corps of Engineers until retiring due to health reasons.  He received dialysis for thirty-seven years and was St. Vincent’s longest living dialysis patient. As a Community minded individual He had a special love for the elderly and disabled and served on the COPS advisory board which is now known as ADRC. He also advocated for other necessary or beneficial projects like the Kewaunee sanitation project.

He loved history, especially political history and could recite the historic events that lead up to many current political conditions. He felt it is everyone’s patriotic duty to be involved in our governmental process and would encourage everyone to vote. He was a very avid hunter and fisherman.

He married Janice (nee’ Rosik) on April 25, 1987.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, his faithful puppy Gus, one brother and sister-in-law:  Elmer Junior and Dorothy Gayhart of Medford, WI, one sister-in-law Linda Rosik-Bohacek and Tom Bohacek, Manitowoc, two brothers-in-law – Lee and Kim Rosik, Green Bay; Bradley and Linda Rosik, Denmark; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his parents-in-law: Leo and Lucille Rosik, one sister Nancy (Jack) Vanderbur.

Friends may call after 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 28 at Buchanan Funeral Home, Kewaunee until the time of services.  A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon at the funeral home with Rev.  Michael Sullivan officiating.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of St. Vincent Hospital seventh floor and the dialysis unit for the wonderful job they did in caring for Jim.  Also, thank you to the caring people of Atrium Post Acute Care Center of Kewaunee.