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(July 9, 1944 – Oct. 29, 2012)
James Vernon Schuler of Chicago Heights, Ill., died Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, at his son’s home in Powell after a short-lived battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 68.
Jim was born on July 9, 1944 in Chicago, Ill., to Herman and Mary Schuler. He was the youngest of three children.
In 1964, Jim married Nancy Linde and began a fence contracting business in Chicago Heights. They had three children and eventually moved to Wapiti in January 1979, where they owned and operated The Trail Inn. Summers were busily spent filling up vacancies, serving guests, pumping gas, and trail rides. During the fall, he would spend his time outfitting and guiding hunters out of the lodge. In 1987, Jim moved back to Chicago Heights and restarted Schuler Fence until he retired. He had a lifelong passion for dog training, hunting and fishing.
Jim is survived by his three sons, Jim Schuler (Cynthia) of Hoopuloa, Hawaii, Ken Schuler of Chicago Heights, Ill., Mark (Denise) Schuler of Powell; sister Patricia Biritz of San Diego, Calif.; brother-in-law Donald Vanhoutegen of Port Richey, Fla.; grandchildren Zachary, Joshua, Samuel, Brylee and Mina Schuler; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Dorothy Vanhoutegen; and brother-in-law Bernard Biritz.
A memorial service will be held in Chicago Heights, at Jim’s residence at 1614 Ashland Avenue in Chicago Heights, Ill., at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24. His ashes will be put to rest next summer in the Shoshone National Forest.
