MIDDLETON – James Phillip “Jim” or “Doik” Seeley of Middleton, passed into eternal rest with our Lord God at age 73, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Madison.
Jim was born on June 6, 1932, in Hillsboro, Ill., the son of Hugh Phillip and Emily (Fuelberg) Seeley. Jim graduated from Platteville High School in 1950, and then attended the Mining School in Platteville where he earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree in 1961. He enjoyed hosting the Miner’s Ball each year, the biggest social event of the time. Jim’s college was interrupted with his service to the Army during the Korean War. While stationed in Germany, Jim enjoyed traveling around Europe and playing football for the Army with the 22nd Infantry Regiment “Clippers.” He achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. Jim was passionate about all sporting activities. His favorites were softball, football, basketball, track, bowling, hunting, fishing and card games. He loved playing softball in various leagues eventually claiming the title of the oldest player in the league during his last years playing ball. Jim’s passion for these activities has been passed on to his children and grandchildren whom he loved dearly. Jim held a diverse range of jobs over his lifetime, starting with his work in the molybdenum mines of Climax, Colo. He has also been self-employed in the construction business, has worked in sales, and, in retirement, he enjoyed working in a nature preserve and indulging his hobbies of woodworking and Native American crafts.
Jim married Phyllis Duncan in 1957, and was then married to Theresa Dvorak in 1969. Jim is survived by five children, Karla Seeley of Madison, Scott (Jane) Seeley of Campbellsport, Zoe (Kyle) Kooistra of Middleton, Raymond “Ray” (Laura President) Seeley of Madison, and Mara Seeley of Bellevue, Wash.; nine grandchildren, Shannon Seeley, Kennedy and Connor Kooistra, Michael and Christopher President-Brown, Katrina Taylor, Mianna and Zaya Seeley and “Max” who is due in November; a brother, Hugh Fred (Beverly “Bev”) Seeley of Elgin, Ill.; and two sisters, Ruth Seeley-Scheel (Richard “Dick”) of New Berlin, and Eleanor Seeley of Trinidad, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at the ALL FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 4058 Lien Road, Madison, on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005, at 12:30 p.m. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services Madison (608) 442-0477 www.866allfaiths.com
Published in the Wisconsin State Journal, October 9, 2005
[Great-great-grandson of SGS # 2327 – James Phillip; Hugh Phillip; Lewis D.; Rufus D.; David James (# 2327); Guy (# 835); Justus William; Joseph; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel, Robert]
