James R. "Jim" Gage

James Richard “Jim” Gage, 73, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 30, 2022. He was the son of the late John K. Gage, Jr. and Virginia Stinson. Jim was born on April 2, 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland. At a young age, his family moved to Atlanta where he spent his youngest years, until the family moved to Illinois.

Jim graduated from the Naperville Community High School in 1968. He then attended the University of Eastern Illinois, graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.

In 1972, Jim began his career in retail as Assistant Manager at Kresge and K-mart, relocating in Illinois, Iowa and finally Wisconsin; he worked there until 1995. After this, Jim became Assistant Manager at Wal-Mart in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin until his retirement.

On June 7, 1975, he married Cheryl Potratz in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; they would later divorce. In 1979, they had moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A few years later, Jim met his special companion Mary Bingen. They would be together until his death.

Jim loved spending hours at the Fond du Lac dog park with his favorite dogs, Laza, Strawberry, Peaches and Daisy.

Jim had a natural gift when it came to photography, and although he could take portraits or landscapes, his favorites were his bird photos. He would frequent Lakeside Park in all seasons, as well as travel throughout the state, capturing incredible photos along the way.

Jim is survived by his companion Mary Bingen, her son Jack and his wife Alana (nee Bliefnick) and their two children, Nicholas and Annabelle, whom Jim loved as his own grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Bob and three nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, and a sister-in-law.

Memorial services will be held this Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Uecker Witt Funeral Home. Visitation from 10 to 11:30 AM, with services being held at 11:30 AM by Fr. Michael Malucha of Holy Family Catholic Church. Cremation has already taken place.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Jim’s memory to either the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge or the Eagle Nature Foundation.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com