James ‘Jim’ Poull Sr.

James J. “Jim” Poull, Sr., age 87, of Port Washington, Wis., peacefully passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at his home with his family at his side.

He was born on June 17, 1932, in Port Washington, WI; the son of Clarence “Jigger” and Elizabeth (Groff) Poull.

Jim attended St. Mary’s School and Port Washington High School.

He served in the U.S. Army as a corporal during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954.

Upon his return, he married Dorothy Diedrich at St. Mary’s Church in Random Lake on Aug. 20, 1955.

Jim worked with his father at Poull Bros. Hardware on Franklin Street in Port Washington. When his father retired in 1973, Jim and Dorothy took over the business, Poull’s Plumbing, Heating and Hardware store. He was proud to work with his wife and sons until his retirement in 1998.

 Living his life in Port Washington, Jim was a member of the former St. Mary’s Catholic Parish (St. John XXIII) in Port Washington, the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82 and Ozaukee Memorial Post 5373 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served as VFW post commander from 2005 through 2009 and was member of their funeral honor guard for many years.

Jim served as a special deputy for the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriffs Viol Eidenberger and Arthur Helm for more than 14 years.

He with his wife and other local families founded the Ozaukee County Chapter of Retarded Children (OCCRC), Ulao School and Portal Industries of Grafton to provide opportunities for children like his daughter Beth.

Jim always enjoyed camping with the kids, vacations and deer hunting in Crivitz, family drives to Rock Hill, S.C., and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and the scenic beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

As an only child, Jim was truly blessed.  On his wedding day, while walking out of church, his mother was heard saying that she had always prayed her Jimmy would have a big family. She didn’t realize she had prayed so hard. “He was loved and blessed.”

Jim is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Dorothy; his six children, John, Elizabeth “Beth,” James Jr., Suzette and Jeffrey Poull and Michele (Mike) Biddle, all of Port Washington;  nine grandchildren, Raymond, Andrea, Jason, Darcy, Josh, Amanda, Adam, Andrew and Brian; 10 great-grandchildren, Adina, Arianna, Dakota, Layla, Cyrus, James, Hayden, Emory, Mackenzie and Madelyn; special friends Ed and Betty Johnson’s children Alan, Tina, Mark and the late Ricki and their families; brother-in-law Dick (Nancy) Diedrich of Plymouth, Wis.; sisters-in-law Dorothy Diedrich of Plymouth Wis., Mary (George) Graff of Rock Hill, S.C., Sharon (Roger) Karrels of Port Washington and Maggie Diedrich of Tempe, Ariz.; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence “Jigger” and Elizabeth (Groff) Poull, Dorothy’s parents Raymond and Virginia (Konrad) Diedrich, daughter-in-law Maria Poull and brothers-in-law Lance Cpl. Robert, Raymond Jr., Michael, James and Donald Diedrich, as well as special friends Jr. and Betty Johnson.

Funeral services will take place at a future date. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Washington.

Memorials to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight (www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org) or the Fisher House, Milwaukee VA (www.fisherhousewi.org) are appreciated.

Poole Funeral Home / Crematory, Port Washington, Wis, is assisting the family. Information and condolences are available at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.