James W. DeBaere, age 75 of Shawano, passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 in Shawano. James was born in Gillett on January 15, 1944 to the late Howard and Ivy (Stroobants) DeBaere.  On July 18, 1964, James married the love of his life, Jo Anne Ahrens, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Appleton.  Jo Anne preceded James in death on April 29, 2006.  James worked at Gilbert Paper in Menasha for 35 years, retiring when the mill closed in 2001.  He and Jo Anne then moved to Gresham where they owned and operated the Whistle Stop Diner with their son, Jim.  James always enjoyed greeting the customers as they walked in and feeding people on the holidays.  In his free time, he enjoyed snowmobiling as well as hunting and fishing with his brothers-in-law.  He also enjoyed woodworking and spending time at the camper in Tilleda, kicking back with an ice cold Hamm's.

James is survived by: his children, Laura (Randy Myer) Homolka of Canton, Ohio, Pamela (John) Theabo of Neenah, James DeBaere of Shawano, and Richard (Wanda) DeBaere of Appleton; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; siblings, Rolland DeBaere, Merlin DeBaere, Ann Frank, and Cheryl Kmechek. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Anne, his parents, brothers Roger and Marvin, and sisters, Betty and Ruth.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral.  Entombment will be in Highland Memorial Park in Appleton.

James' family would like to thank his son Jim for taking care of their dad for the last several years. They would also like to thank ThedaCare Hospital and ThedaCare at Home Hospice for all they did.