John W. Solchenberger

John William Solchenberger Sr, age 87, of Fond du Lac, WI, died peacefully on Thursday morning, December 24, 2009 at his residence. He was born on December 8, 1922 to the late Joseph and Barbara (Hanzel) Solchenberger in Cazenovia, WI. John was raised in a typical German family: seven brothers and sisters all scrambling to eat pork hocks and sauerkraut (one of his favorite foods). At the age of seventeen (he would say eighteen), he joined the U.S. Navy, serving on board the U.S.S. Arkansas for five years during World War II. After serving his country, John moved to Madison, WI to start work at Gisholt Machine Company. It was very soon that he met his future wife, the former June Barningham of Bayfield, at a local Madison diner that she owned. The two were married on June 30, 1960, which their marriage lasted forty-eight years. Their three kids: Joseph (1962), Alicemary (1963), and John William Jr. (1965) quickly followed suit and were the apples of his eye. With his family growing, John decided to transfer to Fond du Lac in order to accept a promotion with the Giddings and Lewis Corporation. He worked with G&L until his retirement in 1984. After retirement, John was a wonderful grandparent to his grandkids: taking them on trips, showing them how to plant vegetables in his behemoth of a garden, and modeling to them strong work ethic and sense of pride (well minus the plastic silverware he liked to grab and stick in his pocket after eating out). John loved to read history books, listen to Johnny Cash, woodwork in his workshop, browse antique shops for tools, fish at the big hole at Lakeside Park, and many other things. He will forever be remembered for seeing the world through a camera lens, telling war stories about Iwo Jima, and commenting on scantily clad women. We will miss our husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.Surviving are his wife June; daughter, Alicemary (Daniel) Faris of Fond du Lac; son, John William Jr. (Nancy) Solchenberger of Aurora, CO; grandchildren, Heather Landowski of Fond du Lac, Michael Landowski of Boston, Massachusetts, Kristina Solchenberger of Florida, Nicholas and Alexander Solchenberger of Colorado, brothers, James Solchenberger of California, Bernard (Odelia) Solchenberger of Cazenovia, sisters, Julia Dylla of Pittsburgh, PA, Lorraine Reinke of Midland, MI, sister in law, Mary Solchenberger of Wausau, cousins, Clara Carey of Madison, Bertha McMillan of Hillsboro, WI, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding John in death are his son, Joseph Solchenberger, grandson, Patrick Landowski, brothers, Benjamin and Anthony Solchenberger, and sister, Lucy Cunningham.



VISITATION: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 from 9-10:30 A.M. at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home with prayers to be held at 10:30. FUNERAL: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Family Parish-Sacred Heart Church with the Reverend Vic Capriolo officiating. Burial will follow at Ledgeview Memorial Park. Additional information and guestbook can be found at www.ueckerwitt.comUecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.