John E. Johnson's Obituary
Heaven gained a hell of a drummer when John E. Johnson, 61, passed away on August 29, 2018 at 1:37 am at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh after a short but hard fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family upon taking his last breath. John was born on April 8, 1957 n Racine and graduated from Racine Lutheran High School. John's passion in life was being a drummer for many bands including; The Midnight Special, Shamus, Firecreek of Racine. The Fairwater, Backstreet Band, J. Harrison Band and Clearcut of Oshkosh and Ripon. The members of the Fairwater Band; Dennis Kunkel, Pat McCarthy and Kenny Zanto were his buddies and part of his family.
He was married to the love of his life, “Darling”, Kathleen (Kwakkel) Johnson for 34 years. They were married at Immanuel United Methodist Church on January 16, 1988. At their wedding reception John sang “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis to Kathleen and that song holds true to this day. John and Kathleen met at Buffalo Bill's in Fond du Lac while John was playing with the band Shamus. John was employed at Lakeside Plastics in Oshkosh for 23 years and he was extremely proud of the work he did. During the first stage of his cancer journey he wore Lakeside Plastic shirts to show his pride because all John wanted was to return to work. John was able to donate tissue because he was an organ donor.
John had one son with Laura Brunner Kral; Ryan (Tina Jacobs) Brunner of Oshkosh. He also has two step daughters, Rebecca Leininger (Wally Leininger IV); two step grandchildren, Abigail and Walter of Racine and Wendy Loughlin (Paul Schmidt) of Oshkosh. John is also survived by two brothers, Gerald Johnson (Judy Johnson), David Johnson; two sisters, Patricia Rohner and Susan Johnson from Racine; brother and sister-in-laws, Sharon Stobb (David), Steven Kwakkel (Lind Coehoorn), Robert Kwakkel (Lisa), all of Ripon; Susan Kasuboski aka Chicky (Phillip) of Brandon; nephews, Joseph Johnson, Jeffrey Johnson, James Johnson also of Racine and Bryce Johnson of Marinette, Cory Kwakkel (Andrea) of Ripon, Eric Stobb of Menasha and Kevin Stobb (Ruth) of Willingston, ND, Shane Kwakkel (Ruth Hernandez) of Ripon and John Kwakkel (Beth) of Ripon; nieces, Nicole Johnson (Goddaughter), Jessica Rohner are also of Racine; Carry Mathias (Chris), Shannon Peth (Kelly) of Ripon and Alicia Pfeilsticker-Kasuboski (Thomas) of Menomonie, WI. John's family also had a special relationship with Megan Kelly of Oshkosh.
Funeral services for John will be held on Friday, September 14, 2018 in Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home, 865 S. Westhaven Drive in Oshkosh from 4-6 pm with a service at 6 which will be presided over by Robin Porst, Wendy Loughlin's best friend. There will be an open jam at Bottoms Up Bar on 7th and Oregon St. in Oshkosh following the service to honor John through music because that was his passion in life.
John's family would like to extend our appreciation to the Doctors, Pallative Care Team, Hospice Care Team, nurses, nurses' aides and everyone else that gave John respect and dignity at the end of his life from the 2nd floor team at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh.
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