Brookfield / Mineral Point – James Schaaf, age 82, of Brookfield, formerly of Mineral Point, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2017 due to complications of COPD and cancer. He was the 5th child of Josephine and Matt Schaaf, of Mineral Point, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, his 3 brothers, Harold, Robert (Margie), Bernard (Jane) and his sister Margaret (Keith) Kummer.

Jim attended St Mary's Catholic School, Mineral Point High School and Madison Business College, where he studied accounting and chef's course at Madison Vocational School.

Upon Jim's return to civilian life after serving in the Army in the Korean War, he attended what is now the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. He later joined the Marcus Corporation when they were developing Big Boy restaurants, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Captain Steak Joints, etc. He married and lived in Brookfield, WI for approximately 35 years. He later owned a small company called Pasch Brothers Shipping Room Supplies. He dabbled in real estate, one of locations called the "The Dugout" in Lannon, WI being his favorite. He owned the Dugout for over 35 years. Jim loved the casino life, making dozens and dozens of trips to Las Vegas, NV, the casinos at Tunica, MS and the casinos around the Gulf of Mexico. Another of his favorites was the Diamond Joe casino in Dubuque, IA. He claimed that with all his gambling, to have had one humongous, humongous win and that is when he won the prize of his life. The prize has paid huge dividends daily for over 50 years and that prize being his wife, Diane.

Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years Diane "age 39", and by his beloved son Nicholas.

Upon retirement he and Diane spent their time between their 2 condos in Pewaukee, WI and Gulf Shores, AL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Ss. MARY & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, 224 Davis Street, Mineral Point. Fr. Jim Leeser will officiate. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass of Wednesday at the church. Private Graveside with Military Honors will follow at St. Paul's Cemetery.