James Radocha, 98, of Brookfield, died peacefully on Sept. 17, 2022.
Mr. Radocha was born May 24, 1924 to John and Mary Radocha of Chicago. He was a veteran of World War II. Too young to join at the start of the war with his brother, John, Mr. Radocha joined the Civilian Conservation Corps.
He helped to build Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site and, when he was old enough, served as a U.S. Army medic in a field hospital. Originally trained for the Mountain Division, plans were changed for the invasion of Europe. Mr. Radocha became a prisoner of war during the Battle of the Bulge and later was a proud member of Friends of Stalag IVB ex-POW Association.
When Mr. Radocha returned home from the service, he found work at Ceco Steel in Cicero, where he met his wife, Katherina. He was a longtime resident of Brookfield and retired from the Brookfield Public Works Department.
Mr. Radocha enjoyed hunting and fishing in Wisconsin with his friends, listening to music and old-time radio programs, riding his bike, taking pictures everywhere he went, telling the stories of his life and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren (even the furry ones).
He was the husband of Katherina Radocha; the father of David Radocha, Laura (Pete) Hirt, Edward (Michele) Radocha and the late James J. Radocha; the grandfather of Melissa (Nate) McFeters and Emily Radocha; the great-grandfather of Kaitlyn, Lily, Jace and Owen; and an uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Radocha was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, John (Millie) Radocha, Edward Radocha, Millie (Joseph) Iorio and Dorothy (James) Kman.
Visitation is Thursday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. until a chapel service at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
Online condolences, memories and photographs may be shared at JohnsonNosek.com.
