James Patrick Lehman

obit template2018-11-29T12:10:12+00:00

James "Jim" Patrick
Lehman

  • Visitation
    • Saturday, November 22nd at St. Joseph Catholic Church (121 E Maple Ave, Libertyville, IL) starting at 9:15 AM
  • Mass of Christian Burial
    • Saturday, November 22nd at St. Joseph Catholic Church (121 E Maple Ave, Libertyville, IL) starting at 10:00 AM

James “Jim” Patrick Lehman

Jim Lehman grew up on a small lake in Kenosha, WI, golfing, riding bikes, and playing hard with his three brothers.  He was one of those boys who loved science, tinkering, and solving problems.  Jim worked hard, excelled in school, and went on to graduate from Marquette Dental School.  He never met a stranger and could talk with anyone about anything. Jim put his competitive spirit, ingenuity, and people skills to good use building a kind and caring dental practice in Libertyville, IL serving thousands of people over decades.

But Jim’s greatest joy was growing his family with his wife Kathy.  Together they raised four wonderful children: Patrick, Rebecca, Kirsten, and Lauren.  Who in turn blessed their family tree with fifteen beautiful branches.  The family weddings were filled with Jim inspired leaps, belly flops, dancing, and drones.  The family gathered in Libertyville and across the Milwaukee suburbs to share pizza and a movie, apple picking, day hikes, kids’ camps, home schooling, soccer games, and boundless activities that Jim would create.  Their annual trips to Minocqua, often shared with another close family, are legendary for campfires, boating, water skiing, and ice cream.  Jim’s proudest legacy will be his children and grandchildren.  By the grace of God, his greatest gift was the love of his wife Kathy.

The Lord said, “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.”  Jim lived the most abundant life filled with family and friends.  He was a person larger than life and so his passing will leave a larger-than-life hole in our hearts.  But Jim’s final request to all his family and friends is to live life to the fullest – in so doing we will honor his memory and continue to build God’s kingdom.

For those who would like to celebrate Jim’s life, we will gather at St. Joseph Catholic Church (121 E Maple Ave, Libertyville, IL) on Saturday, November 22 starting at 9:15 AM CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin promptly at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the following places (click the link to donate directly) in Jim’s honor:

St. Joseph School or St. Joseph Church Campaign (under “Select a Parish”, please select St. Joseph (Libertyville) Parish).

You can also make a donation to the National Shrine, by making a check payable to the National Shrine of St. Joseph and mailing it to National Shrine of St. Joseph; 1016 N Broadway; De Pere, WI; 54115.  You may also donate to the National Shrine online, and include or not include a candle to be lit for Jim, by clicking here.

Note: This obituary is the property of Heritage Funeral Homes and is published here with permission from the family. If you are viewing it on any website other than www.heritagefuneral.com, please be aware it has been copied without consent and may not reflect the most accurate or complete information.

18 Comments

  1. Jason Alt November 18, 2025 at 10:05 am - Reply

    Dr Jim was always so kind and friendly each time I came into his office. He really seemed to enjoy his job, and somehow managed to find a small laugh in even the briefest of interactions. I’m grateful that we found him to be our dentist. Hugs and love to his entire family.

  2. Jacqualine Langas November 18, 2025 at 11:17 am - Reply

    What a blessing Dr Lehman was to both of my elderly parents. His respect and compassion to both of them was remarkable. I am forever grateful to him!
    May his Memory be eternal-
    Jackie Elliott Langas

  3. Jack November 18, 2025 at 11:44 am - Reply

    I am so sorry to hear this news. Dr. Lehman was such a thoughtful and caring man and it reflected in his work and interactions with his patients (I being one of them). He always asked me how I was doing and what was going on in my life with my family and would offer sage advice pertaining to dental/oral hygiene. I feel for the surviving members of his family and wish you all the best during these trying times. My deepest sympathies.

  4. Peter Stueckemann November 18, 2025 at 4:40 pm - Reply

    Dr. Lehman was a wonderful dentist, man, and bedrock of the Libertyville community. So sad that he has left us, but so thrilled that he is partying with Jesus… no suction, fillings, or drill required. What a noble, wonderful man of God! Grateful to have had our entire family have our care from him.

  5. The Gomez-Nickele-Sweeney family November 18, 2025 at 5:01 pm - Reply

    Jim was a dear friend and exceptionally skilled dentist! We are immeasurably grateful for the decades of friendship, encouragement, and good will. Our family will always remember him and his family with incredible fondness and pray for his eternal peace and glory.

  6. Tammy Florczak November 18, 2025 at 7:26 pm - Reply

    Grieving with Dr. Lehman’s family today after learning of his passing. I always enjoyed having him as my dentist and will miss him. Praying for the comfort of his family and friends.

  7. Joe Hamman November 18, 2025 at 8:53 pm - Reply

    Jim is a loss to our dental community here in Lake County, IL. He obviously loved his profession and all could tell he was passionate about innovation and his patients. He will be thought of often and he will be missed.

  8. Andrea, Scott & Michael O’Brien November 19, 2025 at 7:01 am - Reply

    Dr. Jim was not only an excellent dentist but a wonderful and faith filled person. We were so fortunate to have Dr. Jim as our family dentist for many years. His kind nature and great sense of humor were just a few of his many gifts that made our routine visits to his office enjoyable. Our live are just a few of so many he touched throughout his life. God bless Dr. Jim and his family.

  9. David Zeffery November 19, 2025 at 10:30 am - Reply

    Being a colleague of Jim’ in the dental community was an honor all of us in our study club could appreciate. Some of Jim’s ideas came out of left field and many times ended up in the center field bleachers for a big score. His thought and insight gave way to us thinking outside the box to improve our patients lives and their dental care. Those of you who were his patients can be proud to know Jim gave all of what he had to contribute to our great profession.

  10. craig & marcia jones November 19, 2025 at 1:20 pm - Reply

    Going to miss hjm very much.Wish we could have gone on one of those camping trips we always talked about. All the best and prayers for all the family.

  11. Kimberly Zizic November 19, 2025 at 3:13 pm - Reply

    I am so very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Our dental community has benefited for many years from his expertise. My thoughts and prayers to his family at this difficult time.

  12. Sue Bray November 19, 2025 at 6:11 pm - Reply

    Our heartfelt condolences to Kathy, Children and Grandchildren. He will surely be missed, keep your memories close to your heart.. I know you will never stop talking about him.. which will keep him alive!
    We met Jim on the soccer fields with our young children.
    It was fun watching Jim give the coaches his opinion!
    Always a pleasure talking with him and talking about the updates on the families over the past 35 years. God Bless You All.

  13. Robert (Bobby) Smith November 20, 2025 at 5:48 am - Reply

    Rebecca and family

    I am very saddened to her the news of Dr Jim.

    I reflect on the first time I met your father, I had a chipped tooth while wrestling in 1982.

    Your father repaired it and said he couldn’t guarantee it, but suggested I use a mouth guard.

    Well me being a stubborn teenager I didn’t use the mouth guard and I chipped the tooth again, It lasted a few years.

    He said we could try to repair it but if there’s no sensitivity we can just leave it alone. He didn’t want to pull it because that was the last thing he ever wanted to do was pull a tooth. He would do everything he could to save a tooth, and to this day I still have the chip tooth and haven’t had a problem with it since.

    That was in the Kenosha practice, and I followed him to his Libertyville practice.

    Although we never get a chance to hangout I always considered Dr Jim more than my dentist I considered Jim friend.

    Jim was a remarkable dentist and it carried over to being a wonderful husband, father, grandfather family member and friend to everyone that had the pleasure to meet Jim.

    Bobby Smith

  14. Noreen Wykel November 20, 2025 at 6:35 am - Reply

    Dr. Rebecca and family.
    I am so sad to know that Dr. Jim has passed, but the Good News is that he is in Heaven with our Savior. No more pain, no sadness.
    Dr. Jim was always pleasant and kind. He recalled that my family would road trip to the mountains and he asked about our trips and adventures.
    His good nature poured out through his staff too. It is obvious that to work with Dr.s Lehman, you work in a healthy and kind environment.
    May God bless you all and heal your pain in this loss.
    Noreen Wykel

  15. Becky Havrilka November 20, 2025 at 9:42 am - Reply

    Dr. Rebecca,
    Sending our deepest sympathy.
    Your father was very proud and honored to work side by side with you. We could always count on him to make us “smile”.
    Mark and Becky Havrilka

  16. DIANE L VEHLOW November 21, 2025 at 5:13 pm - Reply

    So sorry – Jim was an outstanding and wonderful person. Our deepest sympathy – Diane, Mike, Karl, Kristin Vehlow

  17. David Melbye November 22, 2025 at 8:21 am - Reply

    Wishing you strength and peace in your time of loss. Your family is in our thoughts.

    The Melbye Family

  18. Karen n Dick Weyand November 24, 2025 at 8:08 pm - Reply

    Dear Lehman Family,
    My heart is sad for all of you because of the loss of a wonderful and amazing man, husband, father and Grandfather.
    I have known Jim since Kenosha and the dental world. As a friend, as well as a patient. What a genuine person, who was so proud of his family and his dental practice! He lived his life in such a way that he was a witness to so many with his Faith in Jesus in the way he lived, worked and witnessed to all through his words, work,, actions and sincere big hugs and advice.
    May God give you all peace in your heart and may all your memories make you smile and give you strength to face each new day.
    Hugs n Prayers,
    Karen and Dick Weyand

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