James “Jim” Jerome Anonich Age 86, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 in Rice Lake, WI. Jim passed after a battle with prostate cancer.

He was born on May 24, 1937 in Hurley, WI to Matt and Mary Anonich and lived in a Iron ore mining town in Montreal, Wisconsin.

He grew up the youngest of 8 children. Making him a much loved uncle. Jim graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in 1955. He was recruited in basketball by Geogebic Community College and attended there for two years then attended Superior State College, receiving a B.S. degree in Education in 1960. Jim accepted a fifth grade position at Franklin school in Rice Lake, WI. Where he met his wife, Helen Marie McIlquham, a second grade teacher. They were married three years later and celebrated Sixty years of marriage on July 20, 2023. They were blessed with three children, Sara, Aric and Eve. Jim went back to Superior College and received his Master’s degree and his fatherhood degree as Sara was born there in 1968. Jim became a principal at Lincoln School in Rice Lake. In 1965-66 Jim and Helen accepted a Fulbright grant as Exchange Teachers to Iver, Bucks, England for a year. They bought a VW beatle car and toured Great Britain, Europe and Yugoslavia (his fathers homeland). He and Helen loved to travel every summer going RV camping with the kids all over the United States and Canada. Jim retired from his loved Lincoln School in 1994. They bought a home in Winterhaven, Florida and have enjoyed being there in the Winter since 2015. Jim was gifted in refinishing antique furniture and sold antiques at the Flea Market in Hayward, WI. Jim continued his traveling with Helen. He loved seeing all the continents, except for Antarctica - “too cold like Hurley”. His greater passion was flying and received his private pilot’s license and bought his own military Cub Cadet. He also helped rebuild antique aircraft with his fellow flying buddies. Jim also worked each July at EAA at the Oshkosh Air Venture.

He is survived by his loving wife, Helen (McIlquham) Anonich; his children, Sara Anonich (Karen Blackman), Aric (Becky) Anonich and Eve (Daren) Marhula; 2 granddaughters, Alaina and Aria Anonich; a sister, Helen Mae Anonich.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 6 siblings.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM Friday, September 22, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church in Rice Lake, Rev. Jess De Los Santos officiating, with interment in Orchard Beach Cemetery in Rice Lake. Visitation will be held from 9AM-11AM at the church on the day of the funeral service. Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake is serving the family with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Rice Lake Elk’s Lodge #1441.

Last Update: Sep 14, 2023 9:23 am CDT