Rev. James H. Babler

1942-2023

Rev. James H. Babler, 81, of Stetsonville, died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023 at Aspirus Hospital in Medford surrounded by loving family.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. John Warmuth and Rev. Richard Russow officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to time of service at the church. Burial will take place at a later date in Oshkosh.

James was born on Oct. 6, 1942 in Oshkosh, to Harold “Pep” and Marie (Laude) Babler. He attended Grace Christian Day School. He then attended Winnebago Lutheran Academy and graduated in 1960. He graduated college in 1964 from Northwestern Lutheran College in Watertown. He then attended Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon graduating in 1968. On Aug. 21 1965 he married his wife of 58 years Donna M. Basford in Oshkosh.

James served in the ministry for over 50 years. From his start as a vicar at Trinity Lutheran Church in Marshfield, in 1966 he was then called to rural Minnesota at St. Paul’s in Seaforth and St. John’s in Bellview. In 1970 he was called to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, S.D. where he was also a chaplain at the South Dakota State Prison. In 1972 he was called to Salem Lutheran Church in Lowell, where he served 12 years. In 1984 he received the call to Zion Lutheran Church in Stetsonville where he served faithfully until his retirement in 2018.

During his 34 years at Zion James along with the late Rev. Marvin Zank started Monday worship services in Medford at Memorial (Aspirus) Hospital and Nursing Home in 1989. Those services expanded over the years to include other Assisted living and Nursing Homes in Medford and the surrounding area. He also started tapings of Christmas and Easter services for TV broadcasts to reach out to the community.

James or “Bubba”, as he was called by close friends, loved all Wisconsin sports especially the Packers. He also enjoyed attending the Medford football games for many years even after his daughters graduated. James also loved to grill out and enjoy a “Cold One” while listening to polka music in the garage to relax. He found the most joy in spending time with family no matter what the occasion. He will be remembered as a man who loved his calling as a pastor and as someone who would do anything to help. His fun-loving personality along with his down to earth nature will be missed the most.

James is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Elizabeth Babler of Sheboygan, Erica (Babler) Warmuth; his son-in-law, Ben Warmuth; and grandchildren, Noah, Levi, and Robin Warmuth of Paddock Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his inlaws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends over the years.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.

Paid Obituary 143440