KRITCHMAN, James G., 46 of Bloomer passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2010 in Lima, Ohio.

James was born on October 11, 1963 in Port Washington, WI to Grant and Shirley (Leidholdt) Kritchman. He moved to Chippewa Falls with his parents in 1978. He attended Chippewa Falls Public Schools. He met his wife Marjorie Flater in 1985 and they were married in 1988. James worked for many years as a mechanic and car salesman for Steve and Paul Oman. He worked as an alarm and security technician in Eau Claire. In 2002 Jim found himself working in the ethanol industry, first for Ace Ethanol in Stanley, WI where he found great joy in figuring out why things would not work and creative ways to enhance the performance of the plant. He moved on to Pacific Ethanol to be involved in the start up of the company where he was instrumental in the design, construction and operations of 5 ethanol plants throughout the Western US. In 2009 Jim joined the IR1 Group where he utilized his knowledge and experience from his work in the ethanol industry to consult on underperforming ethanol plants throughout the US. Jim was well known and respected throughout the ethanol industry and his ideas and unique solutions will live on for a long time.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marjorie Kritchman of Bloomer; son Dexter Kritchman of Bloomer; sisters, Jean (David) Bennett of Brookfield, WI, Joan (Tom) Knuteson of Waukesha, WI, Jane Young of Surprise, AZ and Joy Holden of Rochelle, IL.

He is preceded in death by his parents.