James H. Laning

James (Jim) H. Laning, loving husband, father and grandfather peacefully passed away on January 17, 2025. Jim was born on September 17, 1936 in Fond du Lac to Fred and Helen Laning. He graduated from LP Goodrich Senior High School in 1955. He then served two years in the U.S. Army stationed at the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. Jim married Carol (Schmidt) in 1959, and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Dec. 26, 2024. He became a sales rep for Royal Brass in 1960 and in 1968 he started JHL Brass & Hydraulic Service. Jim retired in 1997.

After retirement he and Carol moved to Little Spider Lake in Arbor Vitae, and then purchased a home in The Villages, Fla., splitting their time between the north and the south. Jim enjoyed golfing and for several years worked at Trout Lake Country Club. He loved teaching his grandchildren how to waterski and how to play cribbage and sheepshead.

He also enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada with his sons and grandsons, brewing beer, and chopping wood for their wood burning stove. He loved birdwatching and everything to do with northern Wisconsin.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carol (nee Schmidt), sons Kurt (Carol Bier) and Wayne (Martha Kniess) and grandchildren Emily, Ben (McKenzie Scott), Nick, Kaitlyn, Madison, and Alec (Ally Lunow), two brothers, Kenny and Keith and sister Connie.

He will be greatly missed and his memories and the positive impact he made on all our lives will live on forever. As per Jim’s wishes, a gathering of his immediate family at his beloved Northwoods home will take place in lieu of a formal funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lakeland Pantry in Arbor Vitae, (Lakelandpantry.com) would be appreciated.