James A. Koblitz, age 83, of Merrill, died Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Jim was born May 1, 1928, in Merrill, son of the late Arthur and Frances (Smith) Koblitz. His father Art owned “Koblitz Ice Company,” and as a youth, Jim would help his dad deliver ice. He married Ruth Manley on Dec. 21, 1963, in Minnesota. She survives.
James was a veteran of the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He retired from Marathon Electric after 38 years of employment. He also delivered cars for Stark-G.M. of Merrill, for many years. Jim was an avid fan of all Merrill Bluejay sports. He also followed the Brewers, Badgers, and Chicago Bears. His true passion was baseball. Jim played with the “Merrill Barnstormers,” a local fast pitch softball team in the late 1940’s. Starting in the 1950’s, Jim became one of the original coaches in the Merrill Little League. Over the next four decades, Jim not only coached the Merrill Eagles, but also coached several Little League All-Star teams, and served on the league’s board of directors. In 1974, Jim received a “Merrill on the Move” award for his fifteen years of service to the Little League. In 1994, both the Merrill Little League and the National Little League recognized Jim with awards for 40 years of service to both organizations. In 2010, Jim became one of the original inductees to the Merrill Baseball Hall of Fame. In his earlier years Jim enjoyed bowling.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Koblitz, of Merrill; sons, Tom (Kay) Koblitz, of Merrill, Peter (Renae) Koblitz, of Merrill, and Daniel Koblitz, of Gonzaga Law School-Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA; grandson, Alex; and step-grandchildren, Bryan, Kyle, Hayley, Missi, and Tony. James was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Ament.
A private family funeral service will be held. Burial will take place at a later date in Merrill Memorial Park.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.