John G. Ashton, Sr. age 65 of Eagle River, WI passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
He died unexpectedly due to a sudden medical emergency and his family is profoundly saddened.
John was appropriately born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1959, in Michigan City, IN to Robert and Joyce (Liston) Ashton, the second youngest of four children. During his childhood and his early adulthood, he lived in Lake Geneva and Elkhorn, WI.
He later moved to Three Lakes where he met his wife, Marianne. They were married in 2007 and had a big, beautiful, blended family or as one relative phrased it a “patchwork family.”
John attended Badger High School in Lake Geneva, WI and Waukesha County Technical College where he completed his schooling while working and earned his Electrical Contractor and Master Electrician licenses as well as Electrical Inspector and Commercial Electrical Inspector certifications.
He worked several different jobs as a young adult but most of his working career was as an electrician, which he retired from in 2019. Being the helpful and friendly person he was, he befriended many of his customers, some of which became his dearest friends. With his keen eye for detail and experience in home construction, he later had a part-time job as a construction inspector for an area title company.
Even as a child he was described as sweet and thoughtful. He was known to sit on the floor and work on things. When asked what he was doing he would reply that he was “sixing” (fixing) them and became known as Johnny the “sixer.” This passion carried into his adult life as he had an amazing aptitude for fixing things and had great patience to carry it through until it was fixed.
John was a caring and thoughtful husband, devoted to his wife as well as a loving father who set a wonderful example to his sons about work ethic and caring for his children. He was especially proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed teasing them every chance he got. He truly enjoyed helping others.
He loved the outdoors but disliked anything over 80 degrees. John enjoyed campfires, snowshoeing, going to plays and music. He attended many concerts of various music genres but his favorite place to be was on his pontoon boat on the Eagle River chain, oftentimes with friends or family.
John was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Justin and John, Jr.; and granddaughter Maggie.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marianne; sons, Jordan (Ashley) Ashton, Brian (Melissa) Wilhelm and Chris (Michelle) Wilhelm; brother, Robert Ashton; sisters, Cindi Ashton and Julie Ashton Elvin; as well as grandchildren, Ava, Logan, Landon, Brady, Lilah, Grace, Maxine, David and Alex; and many other relatives and friends.
A private celebration of John’s life will be planned for a later date.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
PAID OBITUARY
