James D Merlet, age 76, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 1st, 2018 at his home in Prairie du Sac. He was born on June 23, 1941 in Beloit, the son of the late Carroll and Edith Merlet. He graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1959. He attended the University of Wisconsin Madison where he played baseball for the Badgers. After graduating from the UW in 1963 he went on to receive his Masters in Education from Northern Illinois University. Jim was united in marriage to Bonnie Beversdorf on August 14, 1965. They lived in Lancaster, WI for a brief time where Jim taught physical education and coached both football and baseball. They moved to Sauk Prairie in 1969 where he lived until his passing. Jim taught physical education and drivers education at Sauk Prairie High School for more than a decade. He coached football, wrestling, and was the head coach for the varsity baseball team until 1978. Speaking of baseball, that was Jim's passion for most of his life. Once he moved to the Sauk Prairie area, he played for the SP Twins Home Talent team. After retiring from the Twins he was coaxed back a few years later to play one final charity game where he hit a home run in the final at bat of his career. He left teaching in the early 80's to pursue a career in insurance that included being the sales manager at Schwarz Insurance. After that he was in the real estate business working for Heffron and Associates before retiring in 2009. Jim enjoyed watching his grandkids play in their sporting events and anything to do with Badger sports. He was a member of St Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Prairie du Sac.

He is survived by two sons, Mike (Jenny) of Verona, and Mark (Jen) of Cary, IL; four grandchildren, Ryan, Megan, Connor, and Brayden; three brothers, Jack (Joanne) of Macungie, PA, Gerald (Jean) of Brookfield, and Larry (Lynn) of Beloit; and one sister, Joanne of Ocala, FL; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie in 2012.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 9th at St John's Lutheran Church, 100 Oak St, Prairie du Sac. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, followed by an 11:00 am service in the church. Burial will be held in the Prairie du Sac Cemetery following the service. A luncheon will be provided back at the church following the burial.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been directed to the Sauk Prairie Sports Boosters.