James Bloechl

On April 4, 2025, we said goodbye to James Bloechl — a devoted husband, beloved father and grandfather, proud veteran, and true son of Merrill. He was 89 years old when he passed away peacefully at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau.

Jim was born on February 23, 1936, to Louis and Anna Bloechl. A lifelong Merrill native, he graduated from Merrill High School in 1954, where he served as a senior class officer and made a name for himself on the football field. He continued his education at UW-Stevens Point and later at UW-Whitewater, where he was recruited by Hall of Fame coach Forrest Perkins, who once declared he “needed an offensive guard” and knew just the man for the job.

In 1957, Jim answered another call to serve, this time to his country. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served two years of active duty.

On May 31, 1963, he married the love of his life, Geraldine Weaver. Together, they raised three sons — Thomas, Peter, and Andrew — filling their Merrill home with laughter, adventure, and the occasional chaos that comes with raising three rambunctious boys. Their marriage, filled with deep love, unwavering support, and shared joy, spanned 55 wonderful years until Jerri’s passing in 2019.

Jim carried on the family legacy as co-owner of Bloechl Motors, taking the reins from his father and proudly running the dealership for decades. After Bloechl Motors was sold to the Brickner Family in 1988, Jim continued to work as Service Manager, ensuring the tradition of hard work, honesty, and friendly service carried on.

He was a man of quiet strength, sharp wit, and a dry sense of humor that could catch you off guard — and leave you laughing long after. Jim valued integrity, family, and the simple pleasures in life: a cold drink on a warm day, a well-played ballgame, and time spent with people he loved.

After the loss of his beloved Jerri, Jim was fortunate to find companionship again with Fran Heckendorf. Together they shared many good days — scenic drives, fish fries at the Eagles Club, the occasional lucky hand at a casino, and countless Brewers games, which they watched with devoted loyalty.

Jim was a loving and proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his three sons: Thomas (Sheila) Bloechl, of Green Bay; Peter Bloechl, of Wausau; and Andrew (Sue) Bloechl, of Milwaukee; four grandchildren: Jacob (Ali) Bloechl, Rachel (Jordan) Yanke, Alexander Bloechl, and Angela Bloechl; and two great-grandchildren: Jackson and Wade. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Geraldine and his grandchild Garth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jim’s name to the Silver M Club of Merrill.

A private celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date.

Dad…your chair’s still there, the Brewers are playing, and there’s a spot for you at the table. We’ll carry your stories forward — and yes, we’ll keep the oil changed and the thermostat down. We love you.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.