Father James Robert Horath, age 81, passed away peacefully and gently into His Father’s Loving Arms surrounded by family and under the care of Aspirus Hospice on Monday, October 19, 2026.

Fr. Jim served the people of the Diocese of Superior from his ordination in 1973 until his retirement in 2010. After retirement from active parish ministry, Fr. Jim assisted his brother priests with sacraments and Mass when they called upon him. He also served as a preacher for Unbound, a ministry whose mission is to walk with the poor and marginalized of the world, providing personal attention and support to help them build unique paths out of poverty. This work took Fr. Jim to many different parishes in the upper Midwest.

Fr. Jim attended Mount St. Paul Seminary in Waukesha and St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee before being ordained by Bishop George A. Hammes at St. Mary’s Church in Tomahawk on June 2, 1973.

During Fr. Jim’s service to the people of the Diocese of Superior, he served parishes in New Richmond, Grantsburg, Frederick, Rhinelander, Pattison Park and Weyerhauser. Fr. Jim was called to serve the Diocese as Chancellor, Vicar for Pastoral Affairs and Vicar for Temporal Affairs from 1981 to 1991; during this time in Superior, he also helped out when needed at parishes in the area.

Fr. Jim was assigned in Merrill as Chaplain at Holy Cross Convent and Holy Cross Hospital, as well as Assistant Pastor at St. Francis Xavier and St. Robert Bellarmine Parishes from 1977 to 1979. He returned to Merrill in 1992 as Pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine and in 1995, was also assigned as Pastor of St. Francis Xavier. After merging these two parishes into a united St. Francis Xavier Parish, Father continued to guide the Catholic Community in Merrill until his retirement in 2010.

One of his most cherished accomplishments during his tenure in Merrill was the building of the Little Flower Adoration Chapel in 2008. Though construction of this beautiful place of peaceful prayer took many hands, it was Fr. Jim’s inspiration and vision that brought the opportunity for Adoration to the St. Francis Community. Many had told Fr. Jim their time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament had changed their lives, for which he gave glory to God.

Fr. Jim was the youngest of five children, born August 9, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary (Martin) Horath, brothers, Fr. William Horath, Fr. George Horath, and infant brother, Robert Horath, brother-in-law, Robert D. Boyle and nephew Robert J. Boyle. Fr. Jim is survived by his sister, Mary Joan Boyle, nieces Megan and Katie, nephews, Jim, Tom and Bill and their families.

Fr. Jim found great joy in the company of his chosen family, the Andersons and Hoffmans, as well as many close friends, who shared in life’s everyday moments and milestones. He will be missed dearly.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral Home, 301 Eagle Drive, Merrill, WI is assisting with arrangements. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 25, from 4 pm to 7pm at the funeral home with recitation of the Rosary by the Knights of Columbus at 7 pm. Visitation will also be held on Monday, October 26, from 9 am to 10:30 am with procession to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Merrill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis Xavier Church for the new Reliquary or to St. Francis Xavier Catholic School.