James Herman Schwert

James Herman Schwert, age 80, of rural Gays Mills, passed away at home on June 25, 2026. He was born in Boscobel on July 8, 1945, to Kenneth and Margaret (Mezera) Schwert. Jim was raised on the family farm and worked at Allis-Chalmers in Milwaukee after high school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served honorably as a helicopter mechanic during the Vietnam War. He attended U.W. Platteville and studied mechanical engineering before moving back to the family farm where he farmed, working in the fields and hauling feed and hay to keep the animals fed. He loved to tinker to improve things and had an amazing memory for mechanical design and detail and where various pieces went in complicated designs. In his later years he became a pie wizard, apple being his favorite. He enjoyed his pie with ice cream, just like our dad did!

Survivors include his siblings: Carole Schwert, Peggy Havlik, Joe Schwert, John (Lois) Schwert, Janet (Al) Wood, Mary Schwert, Bob Mezera, Helen Schwert, Jerry (Sheila) Mezera, and numerous other family members.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Earl and Don; sisters-in-law, Merry, Deb, Mary Sue, Yvonne Mezera; brother-in-law Royce Havlik; nephews Dan Schwert, Jake Klekamp, and Mike Beckius.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the Gays Mills Community Center. Visitation will be held from Noon until the time of service. Military honors will follow the service. The family invites all to stay and enjoy some apple pie and ice cream.

Jim will be laid to rest at Union Hill Cemetery at a later date.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Jim's family.

325 Sunset Ridge Ave.

Gays Mills, WI 54631

608-735-2100