Jimmie "Jim" Wayne Pfaff
August 7, 2018
Rock Springs - Jimmie “Jim” Wayne
Pfaff, 74, of Rock Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018
at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison due to heart failure. Jimmie was born on Feb. 19, 1944 in
Baraboo, the son of Marion and Lucille (Breidenstein) Pfaff. He grew-up in Rock
Springs and graduated from Reedsburg High School in 1962. After attending Sauk
County Teachers College in Reedsburg for two years, he then went on to UW
Platteville where he graduated majoring in Elementary Music. In 1965, Jim met the love of his life
Donna Lee Byrnes and they were united in marriage on July 16, 1966 at Sacred
Heart Catholic Church in Reedsburg. From this union they were blessed with
three children, Tammy, Becky and J.T. Jim began his career teaching grades
K through 6 in general music, band and chorus at the Sauk Prairie School
District. He retired after over 34 years of teaching in the district. At age 14, Jim started playing music
professionally with his brother, Charlie. Then in 1962, they formed the band
called “The Mello Tones”. They played as a group with Jim playing the
accordion, tenor sax and clarinet. In May of 2008 they played their last dance
as a group. Jim continued playing music as a solo musician for many area nursing
homes as well as private parties and played with many other musicians over the
years. One of Jim’s greatest joys was donating his music to the Sauk County ARC
for their annual fundraiser. In 1964, Jim started farming at the
Pfaff’s Midvale Farm in Rock Springs with his father, Marion. Still today the
family farm is operational and he spent time there almost every day. Jim is survived by his wife of 52
years, Donna of Rock Springs; two daughters, Tammy (Frank) Pukys and Becky (fiance’
Tim Ploof) of Rock Springs; son, J.T. (Kyla) Pfaff of Baraboo; seven
grandchildren, Ryan (fiancee Katie Wilke) Vorndran of Baraboo, Cpl. Tyler
Jimmie Vorndran of the United States Marines, stationed in 29 Palms,
California, Bailey (Steven Blanchard) Deering of Poynette, Ashley and Lyndsey
Vorndran of Rock Springs, Lily Joyce Deering of Rock Springs, and Blake Pfaff
of Baraboo; brother, John (Cindy) Pfaff of Knoxville, Tennessee; sister-in-laws
and brother-in-laws, Diane (Tuff) Kaufman of Reedsburg and Jim (Lou Ann) Byrnes
of Wonewoc;
and other nieces, nephews,
cousins, special friend, Bill Nelson and many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Jim was
preceded in death by his brother, Charlie; infant niece, Christine Pfaff;
mother-in-law and father-in-law, Joyce and Donald Byrnes; and longtime
companion, Bear. A service of remembrance will be held
at 12 Noon on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018 at the Rock Springs Community Center, 201
W. Broadway St., Rock Springs, with Pastor Dianne Vielhuber officiating.
Visitation will take place at the Rock Springs Community Center on Friday, Aug.
10, 2018 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time
of service with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in
Jim’s memory may be given to the Sauk County ARC or National Pancreatic Cancer Research
at npcf.us He will be truly missed by his family
and many friends that he met over the years. His music will live on in the
hearts of everyone. The Rago-Baldwin Funeral Home, 520 East St., Baraboo, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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