James Franklin Schirmer

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James Franklin Schirmer was born August 21, 1944 to Charles and Frances Schirmer in Wheatland. Jim grew up in Wyoming, working as an attendant at Texaco Super Service Station until after graduating high school in Wheatland.
Jim met his wife, Judy, in Rock River in the summer of ‘64 while he was working in the oil industry in the area. Jim and Judy were married June 5, 1965 in Rock River, where they went on to build a family and a life together, living in multiple states throughout his career. Jim was a heavy equipment operator and a truck driver for the majority of his life, until he became disabled in 1998.
They returned to Rock River and lived in Judy’s childhood home until October of 2017, when they moved in with their daughter Jamie in Glenrock. Shortly after the move, Jim’s health took a turn and he was transferred to a nursing home where he could receive the medical attention and monitoring that he required.
His wife, Judy, fell on March 16, 2020 and never regained consciousness. She passed away that evening. Within days of his wife’s death, the pandemic struck, confining Jim to the compounds of the home. With so many regulations, Jim’s connections to the outside world became fewer and fewer. Jim took ill the end of October and it was concluded that he had contracted the virus from a staff member at the home. His condition worsened daily and due to the virus, he was without visitors. A nurse at the Natrona County Hospital went in on her own time, to do video zoom meetings with his family, so he wouldn’t be completely alone. On Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, the doctor’s determined that he would not recover and would pass shortly. It was decided that Jim would be transported via ambulance to his daughter, Michelle’s, for his final hours and so he could say goodbye to his family. He died that evening surrounded by family and loved ones, exactly eight months from the date of his wife’s death. He is preceded in death by his wife Judy, both of his parents and four sisters. Jim is survived by his four brothers, two sisters, five daughters, 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was loved very much and will be greatly missed.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Jim at the park on Saturday, May 8 in Rock River at 1 p.m. Please come as you are, there will be no formal dress.