It is with heavy hearts that we share that John “Scott” Karcher, beloved father, husband, brother, “Bapa,” father in law, uncle and friend passed away suddenly Monday, January 11 from a pulmonary embolism.  He was 56. 

Scott’s greatest love and treasure was his family. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Cathy Karcher, Tim (Christy) Karcher (Germantown, WI) and Christian Karcher (Jessica Wardlow, fiance) (Boston, MA), granddaughters, Cecilia Ruth and Evelyn Grace and a grandson due March 30. 

Scott will be dearly missed by his brother, Jeff (Nancy) Karcher (Marietta, GA) and sister, Kelly (Steve) Blewitt (Wilmington DE).  He is survived by loving aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews as well.  He shared a close, loving relationship with his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Mary Loots. Scott was blessed by many treasured friends who were like family to him. He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Carol Karcher.

Scott grew up in Bay Village, Ohio and loved to share his memories of living along the shores of Lake Erie and the adventures with Kelly and Jeff. He had a passion for soccer, playing in high school and college.  He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he met his lifelong partner, Cathy, walking between classes.  He enjoyed his time with his brothers in Pi Kappa Alpha and many special times on campus while getting his business degree.

Cathy and Scott married in 1987 and began their life in Rockford, IL, later settling in Cedarburg to raise their family.  For much of Scott’s life, he worked as a store manager for Kohl’s and always showed servant leadership, stepping in to not only assign the tasks but work alongside his employees and develop close friendships with them.  In recent years, Scott worked for several nonprofit agencies where he gave of himself to support those who had unique needs, first, those suffering from substance abuse and most recently as a job coach for individuals who are at-risk, who have a disability, or simply need extra support to move forward in certain aspects of their life.

His intense love and pride for his boys and the men that they have become was apparent to anyone who met him. He adored the girls they have chosen as their wives.  His role as “Bapa” turned him into a little kid again and his love for his granddaughters was beyond measure.

Scott had a passion for many things…..enjoying the north woods, fishing, cooking gourmet meals, winning board games, golf, and photography to name a few.  He also lived his strong faith and shared it with others, along with beautiful nature photos particularly through his blog “Faith over Fear” meant to encourage others who also struggled with alcoholism. His final post there was Saturday, January 9. Romans 12:12  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

We will celebrate Scott’s life on Monday February 8, 2021 at Alliance Bible Church, 13939 North Cedarburg Road Mequon, WI 53097. Visitation: 3-5pm, Service 5-6 pm, masks are required. In addition, the service will be live streamed and recorded; use this link for the live stream: https://youtu.be/Eblj5UESy2s

In lieu of flowers, we are asking any memorial gifts be made to Fort Wilderness, a Christian camp in McNaughton, Wisconsin where our family vacationed and worshipped for 25 years. It is a place where our family experienced some of our most joyful times and Scott always found beauty and peace in nature.

fortwilderness.com/giving . Click Give Now and select the Fund (Trailblazer). Include note, “Scott Karcher Memorial.”

• Checks to “Fort Wilderness” at Box 715, McNaughton, WI 54543. Include a note telling where it is meant to go (“Scott Karcher Memorial”)
• With credit cards at 715.277.2587. Let the Office know your desires for that gift.