John F. Shawler, age 95, of Kenosha, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 4, 2016 at United Hospital Systems- St. Catherine’s Campus, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on May 19, 1920 in Clarendon, Arkansas, he was the son of the late William and Lillie Mae (Howard) Shawler.  Educated in Arkansas, John enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. in Nashville, TN in 1941.

John proudly served our country in the U.S. Marine Corp during WWII from December 28, 1941 until his honorable discharge on December 3, 1945, stationed in the Pacific.  He also served in the Marine Corp Reserves from 1947 until 1952.  In 2011, John was privileged to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Following the war, John was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base while awaiting his discharge, when he met his future bride at a dance.  He was united in marriage to Irene Halpin on June 22, 1946, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.  John and Irene moved to New Orleans for a year before returning to Kenosha to make it their home.

He was owner and operator of Kenosha Frame & Axle for 46 years, retiring in 2003.

John was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church.  He stayed active until the young age of 93, playing golf on local golf leagues and bowling for over 45 years at the Eagle’s Club.  In his younger years, he was an accomplished athlete, playing football and running track in high school.  He loved closing down the dance floor with his wife, playing cards with family and friends, traveling all over, but especially to the south and wintering in Florida for many years.  John also loved to read, he was a history buff and loved reading maps and National Geographic.  He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following the Green Bay Packers, the Wisconsin Badgers and was a local supporter of the Tremper High School baseball, football and soccer teams.  John was a self-taught man, intelligent by nature and was a talented carpenter who helped build three homes.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 69 years, Irene; their three daughters, Pam (John) Degener, Sharon (Richard) Regner and Patty (Bill) Ivy; seven grandchildren, John Matera, Dr. Bryan (Kelly) Matera, Melanie (Brett) Holly, Dr. Kevin (Dr. Dawn) Regner, Michael (Kelly) Regner, Ryan (Missy) Ivy and Kelly Cole and 13 great grandchildren, Max and Nick Matera, Blake and Brynn Holly, Abe, Ainsley, Asa, Jack and Liam Regner, Hadley and Will Ivy, Savannah and Wyatt Cole; a niece, Colleen Sutton and a nephew, Terry Shawler.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

Service Info

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 7400-39th Avenue, with military honors to follow. Private entombment will be held in All Saints Mausoleum.