James Riddle Sr.

James Riddle Sr. of Port Washington, known to many as Wilbur, Jim, Jimmers, Jimbo, Jamaican Jim, The Mayor and The Riddler, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at his residence. He was 75 years old.

Jim was born in Sheboygan, Wis., on Aug. 2, 1948, the son of Sidney and Frances (nee Koss) Riddle.

He grew up in Milwaukee, Wis., and graduated from Boys Technical High School with the Class of 1966.

After high school, Jim worked as a high-pressure welder for Imprex in Milwaukee. Jim started his own company in Port Washington, Environmental Air Specialists, a mold remediation company.  Jim also worked in sales for Lift Inc. for many years.

On June 10, 2000, Jim married the love of his life, Lynda Hackbarth, in Brookfield, Wis. The couple were together for 36 years before Jim’s passing.

He was a longtime active member and past president of the Port Washington Lions Club.

Jim enjoyed many years at the “One Love” house at Crystal Lake in Lodi, Wis.  He loved traveling to Jamaica, listening to reggae music, entertaining friends and family in his backyard Island Oasis and traveling to Florida to spend time on his son’s horse farm, and he knew all the best places to get good chicken.

Jim had a love for life and never met a stranger, only friends he hadn’t yet met.  He was a very generous person, always willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need.

He was famous for his rum punch,  jerk chicken, and homemade caramels.

In 2019, Jim lost a piece of his heart when his son David passed away.

Jim is survived by his wife Lynda of Port Washington, his son James Riddle Jr. of Reddick, Fla., and his “bonus” daughters Erica (Greg) Lampert of Mequon and Monica (Chad) Phelps of Watertown.

He is further survived by seven grandchildren, Gabrielle and Olivia Riddle, Ashley (Phil) Tetzlaff, Ava and Tyler Lampert and Collin and Lauren Phelps; three great-grandchildren, Kylie, Tanner, and Cameron; his sister Sandy (Terry) Goodwin; brothers-in-law John (Donna) Stanczak, Bryan (Dawn) Stanczak, Randy (Jacqueline) Stanczak and Scott Stanczak; sisters-in-law Kelli Stanczak, Dawn (Jim) Hecht and Erna Riddle; his little buddy “Spud;” nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sidney and Frances, his son David, siblings Mary (Fred) Heimer, Bob (Kay) Riddle, Tom Riddle, Joanne (Roger) Kamenick and Pat Olson, his brother-in-law Gregg Stanczak and sister-in-law Cari Stanczak.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at Eernisse Funeral Home, 1600 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington, with visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 4 p.m.  Please wear respectable island attire.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family.

Jim’s family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at Froedtert Hospital and Horizon Home Care and Hospice for all their care and compassion.

Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, is honored to serve the Riddle family.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.

~ ONE LOVE ~