John K. Whanger of Mukwonago entered eternal rest on February 8, 2024, at age 80.

John found something special when he met his camping companion Susan Schroeder through the singles church group “SHARE”.  They married on March 3, 2003, when he was 60 years old and she was 55.  As much as John had a passion for camping, Sue had a passion for shopping.  These would combine in the most perfect way when he introduced her to Canada, his favorite place to pitch a tent.  Sightseeing and camping there would become an integral part of their love story and provide them with the best of memories. 

John proudly served our country in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.  He went to trade school, was an electrician and worked for Cooper Power Systems (Eaton) in Waukesha. John enjoyed going to the Legion Hall with Sue on Tuesdays and Thursdays for dinner, tinkering with all things electric, gardening, fixing cars, and learning about the stars and constellations. He was incredibly smart, self-taught of many things, and successful, although he had no success in teaching Sue how to change oil.

In addition to his beloved wife Sue, John is survived by cousins Deanna (Jim) Bisley, Bill and Kris Podolak, nephew Herb Schmidt, his adored and faithful canine companion Gina, best friend Ron Stockhausen, and other family and friends.

John was preceded in death by loving parents Kirk and Anne Whanger (nee Podolak), dear sister Anne Schmidt, and best friend Paul Neumann.

A man of faith, John perhaps treasured most the passage of Scripture Psalm 23.  He knew the Lord provided him with pure guidance in his earthly life and would surely provide him with pure comfort in death.

A visitation will be held Friday, February 16, at 11AM followed by a service at 1PM at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 410 W. Veterans Way Mukwonago.

“Blue is the color of peace, serenity, and tranquility. It whispers hope and whispers dreams.”

              -unknown (John’s favorite color)