James V. "Jim" Eller

CROSS PLAINS / ARENA - James V. “Jim” Eller, age 68, of Arena, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Arena due to end stage COPD. He was born on May 16, 1955, in Madison, WI, the son of Ronald and Florence (Bollenbeck) Eller.

Jim attended St. Francis Xavier and Park Schools in Cross Plains and was a graduate of Middleton High School.  He married Peggy Muetz on May 14, 1977, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Middleton. Over the course of his life, Jim worked as a paper boy and later at the True Value Hardware Store, Plastic Ingenuity, B&B Laminates and Cardinal Glass AG, enjoying many years as a machinist. He was also a retired member of the Cross Plains Fire Department, a member of the Sons of America Legion, a lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and a co-founder of the Mike Eller Memorial Scholarship.

In his free time, Jim enjoyed roasting pigs for parties and events, muskie fishing (he was a member of Capital City Muskies Inc. - CCMI), hunting, especially pheasant hunting in Iowa, vegetable gardening, and road trips with his wife, including two recent trips to Arizona to visit his daughter. Jim loved following Badgers basketball and football and was a huge Packers fan. He also looked forward to shopping at Menards and Costco on a scooter and “going out on the town.”

Although Jim struggled to breathe for over 27 years, he rarely complained, and he continued to plan for his future. He was preparing another road trip to Sedona this Spring, and he already had his fishing trips booked for Fall of 2024. Now, Jim can peacefully swim like the loons and fly like the eagles, over Bone Lake in Luck, WI, watching for the 50” Muskie. He caught 222 muskies in his lifetime, flew to Canada fishing for many years, where he and Peggy shared the love of Ontario fishing, and took many “guy trips” as well. We will also remember him ice fishing on Monona Bay and teaching his wife and children how to fish for bluegills and crappies (Emily and Jim would “out-fish” Michael and Peggy).

Jim is survived by his wife, Peggy Eller; daughter, Emily Killeen; brothers and sisters, Diane Herried, Janet (Louie) Lowenberg, Tom (Peggy) Eller and Charlie (Lisha) Eller; and sisters-in-law, Mary (Jerry Kiley) Eslinger, Joan Vandenbrook and Shirley (Jack) Pellett. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael Eller; and many other family members and friends, including five very close friends who perished in a plane crash in Canada on Sept. 20, 1995.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2024, with Father Scott Jablonski and Bishop Jeffrey Grob concelebrating. Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery followed by a lunch at the St. Francis Parish Hall. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday.

Special thanks to Dr. Charles Webber, Jim’s pulmonary doctor for over 20 years, Arena EMS, and all of the amazing friends and family who cheered him on through his illness. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

He lived a good life, full of outdoor adventure and lots of laughter. Jim will be missed by many!

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761