James David Stephani, 92, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023 after a brief stay at Sheboygan
Senior Community.
Jim, the only child of Roman and Leona (Ernisse) Stephani, was born September 4, 1931 and raised in
Kohler, where his parents owned and operated the Kohler Pure Food Market on High Street. Jim loved
sports and was a varsity letter winner in football, basketball, and track at Kohler High School, graduating
in 1949.
Jim was a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving as a corporal from 1953 – 1955. Taking
advantage of the GI Bill, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in
business, before deciding to stay longer in Madison to “drink beer and shoot pool” while earning his MBA
in sales and marketing.
Jim served as International Sales Manager with the Vollrath Company of Sheboygan, where he traveled
to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, France, Germany, and throughout the United States. He later worked
as National Sales Manager for the Polar Ware Company of Sheboygan, before retiring from the business
world at age 82. Of his many odysseys, he had a special place in his heart for Greece, where he enjoyed
swimming in the waters of the Aegean Sea and sampling tsipouro and Mythos with his cherished in-laws
in Athens, Nafpaktos and Chania.
In the 1960’s, he satisfied his interest in the hospitality business by opening the Ye Olde Inn with several
friends on Penn Avenue in Sheboygan. This popular spot undoubtedly helped him court the love of his
life, Aline Johnson, whom he married on April 24, 1965 at St. John Evangelist Church in Kohler.
As a Green Bay Packer season ticket holder, he loved attending games at Lambeau Field with his wife
and son. He was also a fan of Badger athletics and enjoyed many trips back to Madison over the years.
He especially reveled in attending the Badger football team’s return to the Rose Bowl 1993 with his
extended family of Badger alumni.
Jim became interested in golf as a boy, teaching himself at the small park course near the Waelderhaus
dam in Kohler. As an adult he allegedly earned a “scratch” handicap, until the burdens of playing as a
leftie became too much to overcome and he gave up the game. To satisfy his competitive urges, he
turned his focus to tennis, where he terrorized his opponents in singles and doubles at the Sports Core
for many years. He also enjoyed skiing with his family in Michigan’s UP, and the “sport” of sheepshead
with his beloved brothers-in-law at their Elkhart Lake cottage.
Later in life, Jim took special joy in his new role as grandfather, proudly going by the title of “Pappou” as
he enjoyed his retirement.
Jim was a member of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, as well as a former member of Pine Hill
Country Club, the Sheboygan Yacht Club, the Elks Club, and the Sports Core.
Jim was preceded in death by his son James Nicholas Stephani. He is survived by his wife Aline
Stephani, son Nicholas Giannios (Corina) Stephani, both of Sheboygan, and grandchildren James
Christopher and Anna Aline, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends.
A private service will be held at Ballhorn Funeral Chapel.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Nicholas Hospital, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital,
and Sheboygan Senior Community for their kindness and care.
“Yamas!”
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