James Perry Zaiss passed away Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. He was born in Atlanta, Ga. on July 15, 1969, to John and Barbara Zaiss. Later, he moved with his mother to Moline, Ill. to be raised with his mother and father, Jerry Schaeffer.
He graduated from Craig High School in Missouri in 1987. He enlisted in the Marine Corp the summer of 1987. After his honorable discharge in 1991, he got his certificate for HVAC at Mohave Community College.
He met Wendy Badtram, and they married in 2000. They have three children together: two daughters, Alex Marie (Thomas) Kincaid and Eryn Evelyn Zaiss, and one son, Mathew James Zaiss. He remarried in 2012 to Tisha Miller and gained two bonus kids, Steven Miller and Aryan Miller. He has four grandchildren, Zander Michael Wayne Kincaid, Harlie Marie Kincaid, Freya Aurora Miller, and Zain Patrick Miller. His "grandogger" Starr Zaiss was his joy. Jim has three brothers, John (Carol) Zaiss, J.P. Zaiss, and Stephen Zaiss. He also has two sisters, Jennifer (Chris) Bishop and Carrie Lynn (Penny) Calhoun. He loved and had many nieces and nephews.
He enjoyed golf, playing pool, bowling, playing video games, and watching Marvel movies. He was a huge Superman fan. He enjoyed playing Borderlands with his daughter Eryn online. He loved his family and enjoyed as much time with them as he could. He did not like the Packers but was a huge supporter of the Bears.
Donations can be made to Legacy Studios in Burlington in Eryn’s name. We are planning a memorial for him in Moline, Ill., on Jan. 30, 2022. Please contact family for details.
Paid obituary