Racine- John Holman Wolcott, 69, found peace at the Becker-Shoop Center in Racine on Sunday, April 20, 2008.
John was born on January 25, 1939 in Woodston, Kansas to the late Rev. Homer and Muriel (nee: Warnken) Wolcott. He received his education from schools in the Wichita and Parsons, Kansas area.
On August 31, 1957 at Angola Methodist Church in Angola, KS, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Sheila J. Beeson. They moved to Kenosha in 1962. Following, they lived in Bristol before coming to Racine in 1989.
John was chief mechanical engineer at Eaton Dynamatic for over 33 years. His deteriorating health forced him to retire in 1995. John was a brilliant man with an inventive mind. He held eleven inventions and patents with Eaton Corp. and was a proud member of the Fellowship of Patent Holders. John was a tremendously skilled “do-it-yourselfer”. He was a fan of all sports; enjoyed bowling, playing guitar and singing as a duet with the “Country Cousins”, and fishing at his cottage in Rosholt. Above all, John had an inspiring sense of humor and loved being in the surroundings of his entire family.
Surviving are his loving wife, Sheila of Racine; their children, Tammy R. Wolcott of Racine; Timothy R. (Lisa) Wolcott of Kenosha; and Janet F. (Ken) Soens of East Troy; grandchildren, Seamus and Caimen Masterson; Sam, Aslyn and Ava Wolcott; Zachary and Willie Pitej; Ross and Grace Soens; sisters, Pearl Purdy of Gridley, KS; Lela (Joe) Gleason of Toronto, KS; and Bernice (Jerry) Hanes of Bluejacket, OK; brother, Bill Wolcott of Emporia, KS; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name.
Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in South Bristol Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 5-7 pm and on Sunday from 12 noon – 1 pm. Per John’s request, an exploratory autopsy was performed upon his death to determine the exact form of dementia that he has so courageously struggled with for over 9 years. Thus, memorials have been suggested to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
A heartfelt note of thanks to our faithful friend, Dr. Bonnie Wirfs, for the years of dedicated care and concern; and to the staff of Becker-Shoop Center for the compassionate care and understanding during John’s battle. God bless all of you!
Chuck Lassen says
I am very sorry to hear of John’s long struggle with that terrible disease, and I extend my sincere sympathy to his family.
I had the pleasure of working with John at Dynamatic in the 1960’s and 70’s. I will always remember his great sense of humor-work was fun when John was around!
God bless you always, John.
Ed & Bev Halter says
Our memories of John are many. Even though we moved from Kenosha several years ago the friendship continued. We will remember his wit, sense of humor, warm hospitality and smile. May you rest in peace John, you will be missed.
Our love,
Ed & Bev
Janet (Wolcott) Soens says
TO all of Dad’s wonderful friends, thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Marvin Union says
My sympathies to you.
I worked with John at
Eaton,I was the patent attorney who filed many of his patents.
I will always remember John’s unique sense of humor and will miss him.
Janet (Wolcott) Soens says
To all of my Dad’s friends – thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. We believe that Dad is fishing and playing his guitar again! Heaven is a little funner and has a little more music now!
God Bless All of You!
Janet Soens
John Haurykiewicz says
I was an Electrical Engineer to John’s Mechanical forte while we were at Dynamatic. I smile when I recall his quick wit and grin. He made the day more enjoyable for his presence, both personally and professionally, where he was outstanding not only with “things” (as engineers are) but also with people.
Mike Padula says
John was a great friend and co-worker. I had the pleasure to be one of the Dynamatic employees to welcome John when he arrived from Parsons. I was a member of a city basketball team along with John and wittnessed his glowing sense of humor outside of the plant. He was a brilliant engineer and a perfect husband and father. I will remember him in my prayers,
My heart goes out to his family.
Ritchie Renner says
I remember having classes with John at LCCHS. Remember seeing John and Sheila at 40th class reunion in Parsons,KS. He is probably the last person I said good-by too. Too Sheila and the Family I send my deepest sympathies.
Cathy Kauffman says
I also had the great pleasure of working with John at Eaton/Dynamatic. We shared quite a few laughs. He was a wonderfully funny man. Thanks for the memories, John. My heart goes out to family members.
BRENDA PEETOOM says
TO MY COUSINS,
HOW SAD IT MUST BE TO LOSE YOUR DAD FROM THIS EARTH. I CAN NOT IMAGINE. MY HEART AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL AS YOU MUST NOW FACE THE REST OF YOUR LIVES WITHOUT HIM. I KNOW YOU WILL HAVE NO PROBLEMS IN PASSING HIS LOVE ON TO YOUR CHILDREN. I WIL ALSO TELL THE FUTURE GENERATIONS IN MY LINE WHAT A COOL UNCLE JOHN THEY HAD…..
MUCH LOVE FROM BRENDA
Bernice Hanes says
To Sheila, Tammy, Tim, Janet and all of Johns grandkids. I am so glad that we were able to make the trip to Wisconsin to tell my brother Goodbye. He was a wonderful person to grow up with. I have so many wonderful memories. Knowing him in his adult years was a blessing. Even though we were miles apart our hearts were always close. there will never be another like him. Love to all of you, I know you will always smile when you think of him. And Gracie, I am going to watch for you on American Idol. Bernice
Andrew Henry says
Our hearts are with you on this very sad day.