James L. Brogan

MARQUETTE, Mich. - James L. Brogan, 73, of Wakefield and Marquette, died peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

James was born on Oct. 7, 1947, in Howell, a son of William and Rosa (Raymer) Brogan. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in Ann Arbor in 1965. Having grown up in Ann Arbor, he was a lifelong Michigan Wolverines fan.

James married the love of his life, Kathryn Wanink, on March 29, 1969, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Ramsay.

He attended Washtenaw Community College and then served in the U.S. Army Reserves from May 1968 to February 1974. He worked as an electrical apprentice until illness forced a career change. Then, he worked as a teller at the First National Bank in Ironwood until illness forced his retirement.

James is survived by his wife, Kathryn; three children, Scott (Angela), of Ironwood, Jared (Nikki Schnell), of Bessemer, and Nikole (Eric) Holmberg, of Ironwood; four grandchildren, Adrianna, Gianna, Murphy and Luka; a sister, Patricia Sladek, of Wyoming, Michigan; a brother Bill (Sheila), of Ann Arbor; his sisters-in-law, Gretchen (Rocky) Johnson, of Mercer, Wisconsin, Carolyn (Bill) Parker, of Westcliffe, Colorado, and Sharelyn (Mike) Porcarelli, of Kalispell, Montana; his brothers-in-law, David (Mable) and Rusty (Vicki) Wanink, both of Wakefield, and Nicholas (Sue) Wanink, of Cameron, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a nephew, Bryan Sladek.

James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother. He lived with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for more than 47 years, but he never complained and never lost his sense of humor.

We will miss his wit and his jokes.

The family wishes to thank all of his caregivers for their many years of loyal service to Jim, enabling him to live in his own apartment up until his death.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.