James Howard Leinberger, age 72, was called home to Heaven on August 22, 2026.

Jim was born on October 13, 1953, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Howard Edgar and Margaret Marie (nee Ribbens) Leinberger. He retired from Sears in 2012 after 37 years of service. Jim had been a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran in Muskego since 1983.

Jim loved his Wisconsin sports, especially the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Marquette Golden Eagles. He also loved watching The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Andy Griffith Show. He had seen them so many times that he had the episodes memorized and would often say the lines before the characters did.

Jim is survived by his wife, Janet (nee Varga) Leinberger. Jim and Jan would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this coming Saturday, August 29. Survived by sister Susan (Dean) Falkner, nephew Michael (Laura) Falkner, great-nieces Alyssa and Ellie Falkner, and niece Kimberly Reding, great-niece and nephew Evelyn and Devin Reding. Jim is further survived by his brother-in-law Steve (Charlene) Varga; nephews Kurt, Rick, and Ken Varga, sister-in-law Cynthia (Daniel) Fullington; nieces and nephews Jaime (Jason) Blazina, and Justin (Jamie) Fullington, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Margaret Leinberger.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at West Allis Memorial Hospital and Zilber Family Hospice for the care they provided to Jim.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Muskego appreciated.

Private services will be held.