James E. Babcock, 58, of Sparta, died December 20, 2007 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN after an extended illness. Jim was born in Sparta on December 12, 1949 to Edwin and Evelyn (Ballman) Babcock. He graduated from Sparta High School and Western Wisconsin Technical College.

     Jim worked in banking, sales, and owned the former Inglenook Nursery and Landscaping in Sparta. He was an avid Milwaukee Brewers,   Green Bay Packer, and Wisconsin Badger fan and enjoyed woodworking and car restoration later in his life.

     Jim is survived by his mother, Evelyn of Angelo, WI; children, Zeke (Mindi) of Farmington, MN and Charley of Prescott, WI; grandchildren, Alyssa, Evelyn, and Zoey; sisters, Margie Weigle of Madison, WI and Eileen (Fred) Shoemaker of Stoughton, WI; nephews, Scott (Dawn) Shoemaker, Todd (Darci) Shoemaker, and many friends.

     Jim was preceded in death by his father, Edwin.

     Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, with Reverend Mark Wessel officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Cemetery, Sparta.

     Family and friends are invited to call at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Thursday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until time of services.

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.