James A. Sheehan, 81 of Eau Claire passed away Sunday, March 8, 2009, at Luther Hospital with his family by his side.\r\nHe was born October 20, 1927 in Modena, Wisconsin to Leo and Molly (Langert) Sheehan. He was drafted in the United States Army in 1951 and Proudly Served his country in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1963 with the Rank of Sergeant. He then became a member of the VFW Post 305.\r\nHe married Elaine Mai of Eau Claire on June 22, 1957, at Sacred Heart Church in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin. \r\nAfter returning to Eau Claire, James was employed by Johnson Printing as a Janitor and Roto-Rooter as a Plumber. He then became an Aide at the Northern Center in Chippewa Falls and retired after 24 years; after which, he spent 14 years as a part-time janitor at Sacred Heart Church.\r\nJames loved the outdoors and took Great Pride working in his garden and taking care of the animals on his 5-acre hobby farm. He was also quite the Handy-man, and was known by many as a Jack-of-all-Trades. James was also a wonderful cook and would help run the kitchen and prepared the Ham Dinner for the Sacred Heart Church Bazaar's. He loved his God and instilled the importance of Religion to all his children\r\nHe is survived by his wife, Elaine and Eleven Children; Gloria of Eau Claire, Mark (Lori) of Eau Claire, Ernest (Deb) of Hastings Minnesota, Paul of Eau Claire, Kristine (Robert) Staats of Eau Claire, Michael of Altoona, Daniel (Tanya) of Eau Claire, Timothy (Chris) of Eau Claire, Andrew (Sherri) of Altoona, Joseph (Amy) Eagle River, Alaska; Matthew (Melody) of Chippewa Falls; Fourteen Grandchildren; Brianna (Matt) Fedie of Eau Claire, Christopher Staats of Eau Claire, Stevie Staats of Augusta and Kurtis Staats of Eau Claire, Nathaniel Sheehan of West Point Military Academy, New York, and Megan Sheehan of Eau Claire, Evangeline Sheehan of Chippewa Falls, Emily Swoboda of Eau Claire, Amber and Katelyn Sheehan of Eau Claire, Seth and Trent Sheehan of Eagle River, Alaska, Abigail and Riley Sheehan of Chippewa Falls; One Great Grandchild; Payton (Staats) Presswood, One brother, John Sheehan of Minnesota, one sister, Mary (Leo) Beaulieu of Florida, two sister-in-laws, Joan (Raymond) Sheehan of Florida and Margaret (Patrick) Sheehan of Minnesota. \r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Molly Sheehan and four brothers, Raymond, Bernard, Stephen and Patrick.\r\nHe was a Wonderful father and grandpa and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.\r\nMass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father William A. Dhein celebrating the Mass. Private burial with Military Rites conducted by VFW Post #305 will be held on Friday at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to Mass, Thursday, at church. A public vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.\r\nMemorials can be directed to the elevator fund Sacred Heart Catholic Church, c/o Sacred Heart of Jesus - Sacred Heart Parish, 322 Fulton St., Eau Claire, WI 54703.

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