John D. McElhatton, 85, of Kewaskum, entered Eternal Life on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at his home in Kewaskum while sleeping.
He was born on June 29, 1929, in Campbellsport, the son of the late James and Christine (Gertsen) McElhatton. John attended Holy Trinity Catholic Grade School and was a 1948 graduate of Kewaskum High School. On October 7, 1950, he was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Miller at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum.
John was a plumber by trade and worked both industrial and residential. He spent a majority of his career employed by Zien Plumbing. John was a plumber for 41 years and was a member of Plumbers Local 75. He was also a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum.
John loved hunting, especially deer and turkey hunting with his children. He was an avid Packers, Brewers and Badgers Basketball fan. John spent his retired years working in his own wood working shop. He enjoyed working with wood and exploring new possibilities for projects. All his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have received many homemade wooden Christmas gifts that he had hand crafted. John will also be remembered for his love of being in the kitchen whether it was cooking or baking. He will be deeply missed by his wife, his family and by all who knew him.
Those John leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 64 years, Mary Ellen; eight children, Chris (Mohi) Badri of Chicago, Illinois, John (Mary) McElhatton of Hurley, Tom (Cheri) McElhatton of Kewaskum, Bruce (Sue) McElhatton and Rob (Geralynn) McElhatton both of West Bend, Shawn (Wade) Roberts and Mike (Sherry) McElhatton both of Kewaskum and Jeanine McElhatton of West Bend; 16 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Josie McElhatton of Plover, Isabelle Straub, Clare (Bill) Lehmann and Sharron Miller all of Kewaskum; two brothers-in-law, Ted (Patricia) Miller and Paul Dean both of Kewaskum, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by four brothers, Lawrence (Pearl) McElhatton, Raymond (Emily) McElhatton, Ralph (Irene) McElhatton and James McElhatton; four sisters, Marie (Joe) Stangl, Margaret (Harvey) Backhaus, Gertrude (John) Turinski and Marion (Dexter) Petermann; his mother and father-in-law, Edward E. "Pat" and Mary "Mae" Miller; four brothers-in-law, Hugo Straub, Robert, David and Edward Miller; two sisters-in-law, Sr. Donna Miller O.S.F. and Joan Dean; a nephew, Daniel Dean; his step mothers-in-law, Virginia Miller and Lucina "Lu" Miller.
A Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015, at noon at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum. Father Edwin Kornath will officiate and burial will follow at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Cemetery in Kewaskum.
The McElhatton family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday at the Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. where a prayer vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of mass.