Obituaries & Guestbook

Would you like to receive an email notification each time we publish new obituaries to our website? Click here to Subscribe.

John D. Gilbertson

Jun 26, 1969 - Jul 07, 2020

SIGN GUESTBOOK | ORDER FLOWERS AND GIFTS

Our beloved, John, crossed over into the blessed peace of eternal life on July 7, 2020, to join his father and all our loved ones who have gone before us. He was much loved and will be greatly missed.
John was born in Sheboygan on June 26, 1969, bringing happiness to his parents, Wayne, and Lori (Strahl) Gilbertson and to the delight of his big sister, Katie. He was a healthy boy who was born with dyslexia, something he struggled with his entire life. Not much was known about dyslexia at the time, except that it caused serious learning and related self-image problems. John was forever thankful to two caring educators in elementary school, Paul Wagner, and Al (“Grizz”) Calabrese, who helped him develop coping skills.
Nevertheless, dyslexia led to anxiety issues at a young age, which also turned into depression as he grew older. He battled these problems throughout his life. He tried counseling and medications for his anxiety and depression several times, but qualified counselors are scarce, timely appointments hard to get and medications are “trial and error” at best. Some people find what they need—some do not. Failing to find the help he needed, John turned more and more to alcohol. Unfortunately, this story is told all too often in obituaries and among many members of not only our community, but in the entire United States.
John graduated from South High School in 1987. He was a diver on the swimming and diving team, which he enjoyed. He credited his diving coach, Tyler Schaefer, with giving him a more positive, God-loving outlook on life, and to try to do the best he could at whatever he did. Tyler and John remained lifelong friends; in fact, John’s son, Tyler, is named after the coach.
After high school, John attended LTC, became an Auto Body Technician and restored several cars, including two for his mom and one for his sister. He worked at Wigwam as a Knitting Machine Mechanic for a few years, then went to Vollrath where he became a Journeyman Tool and Die Maker. After Vollrath, most of his work life (over 15 years) was spent at Harley-Davidson, as a Tool and Die Maker. They sent him all over the U.S. for additional training and to work at many rallies as well. When his plant closed several years ago, he worked at H.T.T. for a brief time; then spent a year at American Orthodontics. Harley recalled him and he went back for a time, but so many things had changed in the interim that he found the working atmosphere intolerable; so, he quit his job and joined his last employer, Millennium Technologies in Plymouth.
Most people who knew John did not know about his struggles. They tell us they remember his big smiles and happy attitude, his big, soft heart, willingness to help anyone and someone who valued friendship. John dearly loved his family and friends. He loved family times, but his most happy times were spent with the “light of his life,” his son Tyler. Over the years, they spent endless hours at the family cottage at Lake Ellen swimming, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, and enjoying the “scooters,” which were a birthday present for Tyler last summer. Together, they also enjoyed working on Ty’s dirt bike, motorcycling, and target shooting.
John is survived by his son, Tyler; Tyler’s mother, John’s ex-wife, Nicole; mother, Lori Gilbertson; sister, Katie (Keith) Anderson; niece, Saige Ramos (fiancé Levi Joosse); nephew, McKena Ramos (partner Jordan Saunders); step-nephew, Parker Anderson; step-niece, Ashley Anderson; and many loving family members and friends, locally, and all around the U.S. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Gilbertson, his grandparents, Mary and Ralph Gilbertson, Sr. and Florence and James Howard Strahl, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
John faced death with courage. His favorite prayer was the Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
The family wants to thank the staff in the transplant I.C.U. at Froedtert Hospital for their caring and tireless efforts to save John’s life. John had signed a power of attorney which provided that all life-sustaining measures be discontinued if his life could not be saved, so he was admitted to the wonderful care in the Comfort Care and Hospice Unit at Froedtert, where he died.
According to John’s wishes, he has been cremated and there will be no funeral. Due to COVID-19, a celebration of his life will take place at a future date, when possible. Memorial funds may be made payable to Loretta Gilbertson and sent to the funeral home as well as condolences. Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081
Rest in peace, John. We will always love and remember you, your laughter, and your charm.

ORDER FLOWERS AND GIFTS

PRINT THIS PAGE

Guestbook Entries SIGN GUESTBOOK

Mark Leider

Dear Lori, I was sorry to learn of your son John's passing. I extend my sincere condolences as well as my prayers. May God bless you with peace.

Susan Elsner

My deepest sympathies. Rest In Peace.

Andrew Engelhardt

To all who had John as part of their lives, my deepest sympathies. I got to know John the last 3 years or so. Very friendly with a great sense of humor. I will always remember the picture of him and his son, Tyler, sitting on a Harley. John kept that picture in his tool box. Great guy I was blessed to know. Hope to meet again someday, in the next life.

Mandy Huth

Thank you for sharing part of John's story. No words can express the loss felt here; may your memories serve your family as solace as you find your way forward.

Rachael Gelhar

So many memories and laughs and cries. all of which I will hold close to my heart. Not a place in this county that I can go without a thought of you. Peace is what I hope you have found my friend. Watch over us all. We love you. Miss you Gibby

Kathy Glavan Mauer

I am in shock! I will miss him so much! RIP my wonderful friend....I will never forget you!

Jodine Edney

Lori you have my deepest sympathy

Mary Goff

Shaun Sippel

You and your family are in my prayers Loretta. He was an awesome guy. We used to paintball a lot. My condolences

Mickey

Doreen Wierman

My deepest sympathies.

Lisa Mitchell

My deepest sympathies to your family.

Tracy Arnoldi Arens

Lori, My deepest sympathies to you and your family. I am saddened by this news and my heart breaks with you. Hold your memories close. Thoughts and prayers to you ❤️ Tracy Arnoldi-Arens

Shaun Brachmann

So sorry to hear of his passing. We had many good times together, he was a great guy and a good friend.

Linda Vansluys

Lori, Katie, Tyler, and family, I am so so sorry to hear of John's passing. MY family had alot of fun times camping and at thd cottage years ago with John. He was a fun guy! He will always be fondly remembered by us. Linda, & Family

Terri Flores and Tim Neary

I am so so sorry to his mother son sister friends and family. John you where a good neighbor and friend we all had some good times here in our little corner in Cascade on Lake Ellen which will always put a smile on my face. May you rest in peace. Tim and Terri

Sherry Robison

You will be missed by so many John. Rest easy my cousin. <3 Love you aunt Lori, Katie, Tyler, Saige and McKena.

Michelle Austin

You were such a good friend. Thanks for all the memories. You will always have a special place in my heart. Miss you, I'll see you on the other side.

Ronald Hofmann

So sorry for your loss. He will be missed by all

Tyler Gilbertson

I will always love you Dad I got lucky having a father like you we had a lot of fun times I will truly miss you.

Breanna Flores

I miss him already. You will always be missed and never forgotten ❤️ Thank you for everything you did for me. Until we meet again.

John Arndt

So sorry for your loss. RIP John

Linda Wilken

Only knew John for a few years, but he was a really special man and a great father. My deepest sympathies for your loss. He will be missed

Margie Janz

LOVE AND PEACE

Curt Parra

Alan and Vicki Tebbs

Rest easy my sweet cousin. Until we meet again. All our love ❤

katie

I love you little brother. Always.

Linda and Gerald Seil

Our Deepest sympathy on your loss.