Obituary of John "Jack" DuPlayee

John “Jack” DuPlayee

On Friday, May 19, after a brief hospital stay, and surrounded by his loving family, Jack DuPlayee was embraced by his Precious Lord and entered into Heaven. “Captain Jack,” as he was affectionately called, was a devout Catholic who enjoyed life. He was a hard-working man who could be counted on to help a friend in need, whether they liked it or not. Jack did not take “No” for an answer, and never expected anything in return. He enjoyed auctions, rummage sales, driving his tractor, playing card games with his wife Therese and friends, and especially treasured his early-morning coffee hours with his good buddies Jim and Al.

Jack was born in Tomahawk, WI on February 11, 1937 to La Joyce H. and Helen C. (Surdick) DuPlayee. Like many Depression-era families, life could be a struggle. Jack and his siblings often had to rely on their resourcefulness and wits to survive. This helped him acquire a toughness and empathy that served him and his community well after he became a Tomahawk police officer in 1961. He served as Chief of Police for most of those years, retiring in 1997.

Jack is survived by his wife Therese (Nelson) DuPlayee, sisters Cecilia “Bubbles” (Emery) Sann of Tomahawk, and Marjorie (Art) Crass of Medford, son Michael DuPlayee of Cottage Grove, and daughters Jacqueline (Thomas) Streicher of Onalaska, Jeanne (David) Schommer and Cherie (Andy) Krueger of Tomahawk.

Grandchildren include Ashley, Thomas, Stefan (Kaitlin) and Nathan DuPlayee, Daniel and Anthony Streicher, Caitlin (Nathan) Jochimsen, Callie, Kyle (Laura), and Calvin Schommer, Madison Krueger-Brown and Rya Brown, and one great-grandson, Bryce Frame.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of nearly 50 years, Helen (Musil) DuPlayee, his son, Bill, and brothers Harmon, Bill and Kenny. 

Funeral Services will be held at 7pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 23, with visitation between 3-7pm at the church as well. If you wish to give a memorial, please consider donating to St. Mary’s Catholic School in Tomahawk.

“WWJD – What Would Jesus Do?”

The Krueger Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.