James Petreman

James M. "Jim" Petreman, Sr. of Winthrop Harbor, passed away on March 31, 2008, at the age of 87. James was born in Zion, Illinois on August 27, 1920 to Carrie and Walter Petreman. He was enrolled in Zion Parochial Schools, and graduated from Waukegan Township High School. He attended Christ Community Church (formerly Christian Catholic Church). He was an all-star baseball pitcher for Waukegan High School, and signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1939. He played minor league baseball for several years, and then played for the nationally recognized semi-professional Johnson Seahorses from Waukegan. He was a tool and die maker for WR Wesson and FanSteel. In 1949 he started Petreman Floor Finishing, a hardwood flooring business which he operated for over 51 years, retiring in 2000. In 1941 he married Ellen C. Vogler of Kenosha. Jim and Ellen, married almost 67 years, were lifelong Chicago White Sox fans. They also enjoyed bowling, golfing, and fishing together. Jim was a coach for several of the local boy's baseball teams. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; three children, Karen (Gary) Knurr of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Jim (Neda) Petreman of Winthrop Harbor, IL, David (Julie) Petreman of Bellbrook, Ohio; nine grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and a brother, Wesley (Ava) Petreman of Memphis, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and two brothers. Visitation will be held Friday, April 4, 2008 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd. Zion. Funeral services will be held on Saturday April 5, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Ken Langley of Christ Community Church officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Ridge Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, donations to Camp Zion Ministries of Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, IL 60099 would be appreciated.