James Brennan

James (“Jim”) Verlin Brennan, 88, of Janesville, WI, died peacefully at home on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, blessed to be with his family until the end. Jim’s legacy to his loving family will always be his dry wit and wry humor, his sweeping knowledge on any topic, and his dedicated work ethic to every endeavor. He was well-loved and will be deeply missed.

Jim was born on July 3, 1937, in St. Patrick, MO, the oldest son of Thomas and Marie (Bader) Brennan. He learned his lifelong code of diligence and hard work through growing up on the family farm during the Depression and World War eras, and it was reflected throughout his entire life. Jim graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1955 and then moved to Davenport, IA. There, he attended St. Ambrose College during the day and worked nights at Alcoa, while also raising a young family. Jim graduated from St. Ambrose in 1959 with an accounting degree and, by 1960, was working for Alcoa as a UNIVAC programmer and systems analyst.

Throughout his storied career, Jim worked in accounting, farmed crops and livestock in central IL, drove a tour bus cross-country, and for the last 17 years was a transit driver for the City of Janesville, where he was employed at the time of his passing. Although Jim traveled widely throughout the US, earned honors and accolades for his work, and was as comfortable in a boardroom as in a classroom, he remained a country boy at heart. One of his greatest pleasures was driving through Midwest farmland during the summer months and speculating on the crop harvest. He loved meeting people, hearing their stories, and sharing his.

Jim is survived by his wife of 37 years, Robyn Doege-Brennan, and their two children, Matthew Brennan and James Brennan II, both of Hillside, IL. He also leaves behind seven children from his former marriage to Jill (Frymire) Brennan (d. 2024): Joyce (Tucker) Hansen of Ohio, IL; Coleen Vincent of Ohio, IL; Mark (Lisa) Brennan of Palmyra, VA; Gail (Mark) Werley of Sebring, FL; Monica Robbins of Princeton, IL; Valerie (Corey) Peterson of Walnut, IL; and Chantel Brennan of Walnut, IL. Jim’s additional progeny includes 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren who will carry on his stories.

All nine of Jim’s children learned diligence and integrity at a young age through his example of hard work and dedication. He was a fountain of knowledge, both factual and fabricated, and will be warmly remembered as a handyman extraordinaire.

Jim is also survived by sisters Carolyn (Paul) Kamp of Des Moines, IA, Martha Harrison of Flower Mound, TX, and Mary Jo (Gene) Lindsey of Canton, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Carl M. Brennan, and his sister Janice Hahn.

Jim’s life and legacy will be honored on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., a memorial service starting at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. John Tabaka and a celebration of his life to follow at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Janesville, WI. All family, friends, and acquaintances are invited to attend. In place of flowers, memorials for Jim may be made to the Brennan Music Studio Scholarship Fund, c/o Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. Henke-Clarson Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the Brennan family. Online condolences are welcome at www.henkeclarson.com.