James Dominic Delbesio, Phillips

James Dominic Dalbesio, 78, of Phillips, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Aspirus Hospital in Medford.  Jim was born in Mellen, Wisconsin on April 21, 1947, to James and Doris Dalbesio. He was the first of ten children born to the Dalbesio family. Jim attended Mellen Public Schools and graduated from there in 1965. He eventually joined the US Army and National Guard. One of his claims to fame is that he got to watch President Richard Nixon’s dog, Checkers, during a National Guard assignment in Washington, DC.

Jim met his former wife, Dianne, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, in 1977. They married in 1979 and welcomed a daughter, Jamie, in 1980.

Jim worked a variety of jobs, including being a patrol officer and Police Chief in Mellen, being a licensed funeral director, and owning a funeral home in Phillips. Eventually, Jim got a job working for the City of Phillips and spent his days working to keep the city functioning, including mowing grass, plowing snow, and his daughter’s favorite – flooding the city ice skating rink in the wintertime. Prior to his retirement, he worked at the Price County Jail as a jailer.

Jim’s true work passion was being the Price County Coroner, an elected position he held since 1992. Jim had a way of performing that job at a high level in which he was organized, knowledgeable, and provided support and compassion to others during their times of loss and grief.

Jim loved everything outdoors, including fishing, hunting, and just being outside. He also enjoyed beating everyone in the room at Trivial Pursuit, watching hunting shows, and as of late, watching re-runs of Murder She Wrote and telling everyone he knew about the episodes.

Jim’s entire world revolved around his grandchildren, twins Cameron and Isabelle. Jim never went more than a month between visits and was a huge part of their childhood. Some of their favorite activities included going to the airport in Bloomington to watch the planes take off, going to horse riding lessons at the barn, and going out to eat. Jim never missed an event — he went to ball games, band concerts, and everything in between.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Jamie and Tara, grandchildren Cameron Johnholtz and Isabelle Johnholtz, long-term partner Bonnie Zilge, sisters Anne, Paula, Benedetta, Antonia (Toni) and Nicolette (Niki). He was preceded in death by his father, James, his mother, Doris, his brothers John and Mark, and his sisters, Claudia and Maria.

Jim truly lit up this world with his humor, his laugh, and his love for life and those around him. We are so grateful to have known him and are better off for it.

Memorial Gathering for Jim will be held on Tuesday, February 17th at Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel from 4:00 to 6:00 pm

Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com

HEINDL-NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.