Jim Tinnes, Vietnam veteran and longtime Waukesha volunteer, dies; Paul Masters found dead behind Versailles shopping center
The obituary for jim James "Jim" E. Tinnes records his death on Sunday, February 22, 2026, surrounded by family; at the same time, Woodford County authorities have identified a man found dead behind a Versailles shopping center, a pair of developments that have stirred distinct local responses. Both announcements matter now because one closes a life of long public service and volunteerism in Waukesha while the other has prompted an active investigation and heightened security concerns at a Kentucky business complex.
Jim Tinnes and U. S. Army service in Cam Rahn Bay
James E. Tinnes was born in Waukesha, WI on February 4, 1948, the son of Earl and Jane (Camenga) Tinnes. A 1966 graduate of Waukesha High School, he served in the U. S. Army and completed two tours in Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam, from 1968 to 1969. Those military years are recorded as a central chapter in a life that later included steady employment and community involvement.
Employment record and volunteer work at Waukesha Memorial Hospital
Over the course of his working life, Jim held positions with Esser Paint & Glass, the Wisconsin Highway Department, Astro Pattern and Ride Line, and he retired from Waukesha Metro. After retiring, he volunteered at Waukesha Memorial Hospital from 2007 through 2020. He was also an active member of D. J. Martin American Legion Post 8, serving in the past as Post Commander and as Commander of the Honor Guard.
Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home visitation, military honors and memorials
Visitation for Jim is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 6: 00 p. m. until 7: 00 p. m. at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Full military honors will begin at 7: 00 p. m., followed by the memorial service at the funeral home. The obituary invites friends and family to read the notice and add memories and says organizers will notify people when service details or new memories are added. The page offers an option to select what to include for printing and provides the ability to enter a phone number to have directions sent by text; standard text messaging rates apply. Memorials in jim's name are requested to D. J. Martin American Legion Post 8, P. O. Box 111, Waukesha, WI 53187. The obituary page notes the site is protected by reCAPTCHA and that the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply; service map data is credited to OpenStreetMap contributors.
Paul Masters identified after being found behind Versailles shopping center
Woodford County officials identified the man found hanging upside down on a utility pipe behind a Versailles shopping center as 60-year-old Paul Masters of Nicholasville. Versailles police say officers were called to the scene at 7: 30 a. m. Monday after a report of a man hanging upside down. Preliminary findings indicate Masters was attempting to burglarize the building, a circumstance that led investigators to treat his presence behind the center as central to the inquiry.
Workout Anytime owner Brett Least describes scene and security at Versailles location
Brett Least, owner of Workout Anytime in Versailles, said he arrived Monday morning for a typical start to the week, dropped off his children and noticed first responders at the rear of the building. He followed them to the back to check on the situation and described the shopping center as normally quiet. Least said many gym members use the 24/7 facility overnight, including local first responders, and said he tries to keep up with every single member. He emphasized the studio's security setup—16 security cameras and four first responder buttons mounted on the wall—and said he hopes the incident does not deter people from using the gym. Least praised how first responders managed the scene, noting they restricted access to prevent the public from seeing what he called a traumatic sight. Other businesses in the shopping center declined to comment about the ongoing investigation.
What makes this notable is the contrast: one report outlines the end-of-life arrangements for a widely known veteran and volunteer in Waukesha, while the other describes an abrupt, suspicious death that has left local businesses and law enforcement working to piece together why a 60-year-old man was found in a dangerous position behind a retail property. The coroner's identification and the police preliminary finding that a burglary was involved provide immediate leads, while the funeral home’s published arrangements set a clear timetable for family and community to gather and pay respects.
Family survivors and predeceased relatives of Jim
Jim is survived by his sister Karen (Don) Medler; nephew John Medler; niece Jane (Mark) Busbia and their children Devon (Jack) Ferguson and Connor Busbia. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sisters Sandra Dunsay and Mary Pagliaro. The obituary requests memorial contributions in his name to D. J. Martin American Legion Post 8 and provides the P. O. Box address for donations.
