James Walter Hines, age 87, of Ellsworth, Wis., retired Pierce County Sheriff, passed away peacefully at Prescott Nursing & Rehab on June 12, 2024, with his family by his side. Jim was born on May 10, 1937, in Ellsworth, Wis., the son of Walter and Avis (Smith) Hines. He attended Lost Creek School before graduating from Ellsworth High School in the class of 1955. Following high school, he enlisted in the Army Reserves. He married his best friend and soulmate, Elaine Krause on April 9, 1960, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pepin, Wis. This bond was further blessed with three children, Todd, Sara, and Mark.
Early on, he worked with his dad hauling milk before taking over the business himself. Over 15 years, he created long-lasting friendships with the area farmers who appreciated his strong work ethic and commitment to helping them in any way. As it was common to use milk trucks as tankers for fires, he was approached to join the Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Department in 1962. He faithfully served the department until 1988.
In 1970, Jim went on to become a Traffic Patrol Officer for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and was elected Pierce County Sheriff in 1984 and proudly served as Sheriff from 1985 until his retirement in 2001.
Jim enjoyed fishing at his parents’ cabin on Casey Lake in Spooner, Wis. and always looked forward to deer hunting with family in the fall.
Jim served as a Village of Ellsworth Trustee for several years, was a member of English Lutheran Church, Hancock Masonic Lodge, Ellsworth Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, St. Croix Valley Shrine Club, and the Kinne-Englehart American Legion Post 204 in Ellsworth. He enjoyed golfing, playing Euchre, meeting friends and family for coffee hour, traveling with Elaine and his greatest joy was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He will forever live on in the hearts of his wife and best friend, Elaine, children Todd Hines, Sara (Greg) Place, and daughter-in-law Diane Hines; grandchildren Rob (Tara) Hines, Dan (Nadalie) Place, Jonah Place, Morgan (Dustin) Kowalik, Heather (Mike) Kersten, step-grandchildren Amanda (Jeremy) Kaiser, Eric (Tracie) Albrightson, Kailie Kersten, Levi Kersten and great-grandchildren Wyatt Place, Sophie Kowalik, Nora Kowalik, Abby Hines, Blake Hines and step great-grandchildren Colt Albrightson, Nash Albrightson, and Wilsey Albrightson; siblings Mike (Mary) Hines, Dixie Raehsler, Patrick Hines, Tony (Kathy) Hines, Trudy (Gary) Young, Mary (Mike) Metcalf, Steve (Elise) Hines, Scott (Joanne) Hines, sisters-in-law Carol Hines, Mary Hines, and Janet (Ron) Werhnyak, as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Avis Hines, in-laws Kenneth and Charlotte Krause, son Mark Hines, brothers Tom Hines, Wilbur “Bill” Hines, Rick Hines, and Duncan Hines; sister-in-law Nancy Hines and brother-in-law Doug Raehsler.
A Memorial Service will be held at noon on Friday, June 28, 2024 at English Lutheran Church located at 229 W. Main, Ellsworth, WI 54011. A Gathering of Friends and Family will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until the noon service. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery at a later date. A private Masonic Service will be held with his family. Memorials are preferred at the discretion of the family.
Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth. For more information, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-273-4421.
