James Millhouse

James “Jim” Millhouse died May 4, 2022, at home surrounded by his loving family after a ten year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Jim was born August 3, 1941, in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Harvey and Lucile Millhouse. He married Judy Shemanske on July 8, 1980, in Kenosha. The following spring they  moved to Rockford, Illinois. Jim was a manufacturing engineer. He began his career at Eaton Corporation in Kenosha, then moved on to Rockford DynaTorq and Sunstrand. After Sundstrand he began doing contract work, from designing missile launches with Raytheon, independent contracting for Jeep engines, and many other numerous assignments. He ended his career with Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.  He enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, golfing, and spending time in Door County with his family and friends. He also took adult education classes at Rock Valley including Chinese, cooking, and stain glass making. Jim completed his bucket-list with a trip to Hawaii in 2016. He loved his Harley and took many trips on it from South Dakota to Montreal, Quebec. After his retirement you could find him in his backyard floating in his pool, soaking up the rays! Jim was baptized at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and ushered the Saturday night service with his son, Stephen. They also watched the animals in the manger on the Christmas Eve service.  He is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, Michael (Amy) Millhouse, Stephen (Brittany) Millhouse, and daughter Kelly (Don) Gaquin; grandchildren, Trevor and Makayla Millhouse, Mason and Carden Millhouse, Hazel Habetler, Alex (Jennifer) Soens, and Will (Aimee) Soens; great-grandson, Jaxson Soens; sister, Arlene Liegakos; brother, Jack Millhouse; sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, Susan Shemanske and Peter Wickland. His best friend and “blood brother”, Donnie (Carol) Roberts.  A Memorial Service for Jim will be held Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3301 Corbridge Lane, Rockford, IL 61107, with a visitation taking place at 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 712 Windsor Road, Loves Park, Illinois 61111.