James Allen Sailer, lifelong Antigo resident, died Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital at the age of 63.

He was born October 17, 1952 in Antigo, son of Joseph and Blanche (Long) Sailer. He married Peggy Arndt on March 3, 1973 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Antigo.

James was a 1971 graduate of Antigo High School, and he trained in auto body repair at Northcentral Technical College.

His passions in life were his family and friends. He was a skilled craftsman, taking an ordinary piece of wood and turning it into an extraordinary piece of furniture.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy Sailer of Antigo; his mother, Blanche Sailer of Antigo; a daughter, Joye (Sonny) Barnett of Poulsbo, WA; a son, James Allen, Jr. “Jay” (Dodi) of Antigo; 8 grandchildren, Samantha of Green Bay, Shana, Matthew, Sonny Jr., Cody, Savannah, Autum, and Rylie, all of Poulsbo, WA; a great-granddaughter, Nora; a sister, Carol (Calvin) Kolpack of Antigo; and 2 brothers, Michael (Becky) Sailer of Superior, MT, and Wayne (Kitty) Sailer of Antigo.

James was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Sailer, and a great-granddaughter, Charlotte.

A visitation will take place from 4:00-8:00 Tuesday at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home. Private family services with interment at Elmwood Cemetery will take place on a later date