John L. Broennimann
John L.
Broennimann, age 77, passed away on August 10, 2020 surrounded by his loving
family at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac due to a massive stroke after a
battle with dementia for many years. John was born on November 7, 1942 in Fond
du Lac a son of Gottfried and Barbara (Krones) Broennimann.
John
married Donna Jones in May of 1965, together they had four children: Lori,
James, David and Joseph. Donna preceded John in death in November of 1994.
On October
17, 1997 John married Carolyn M. (Nelson) Develice and added four more children
to his family: Lori, Anthony, Cheryl and Thomas.
John and
Carolyn started their life of construction together with their new families,
hitting many detours, roadblocks and dead ends, but together found a way to
repair, fix and continue on with the love and support of each other. They were
always there for their children and grandchildren. John and Carolyn vowed from
the beginning family was most important. They always said “we will keep to the
right and never go left.” It meant to them they should always keep trying and
never give up.
John
served in the US Army from 1964 to 1967. In 1964, he went to Fort Leonardwood,
Missouri for his basic training. In 1965, he went to Fort Irwin, California, to
learn how to do metal body repair. He received the National Defense Service
Medal, 1st award for good conduct medal and the Expert Rifle Award.
After his training was complete, John was sent to Naha, Okinawa for an 18-month
duty during the Vietnam War. He was in heavy equipment repair and maintenance
where they repaired damaged equipment that needed to get back to the troops in
Vietnam. It was here that John bought his first motorcycle, a Honda CB-160. He
was assigned to also deliver mail using his motorcycle and the Army even paid
for his gas. He loved his motorcycle so much he had it shipped home at the end
of his duty. He continued his love for motorcycles through his entire life.
He also
enjoyed “putzing” around with cars, lots of motorcycle rides, snowmobiling,
camping occasionally and bowling. He loved old cars and worked at several
filling stations in his younger days. He was proud of the fact he kept the city
going by paying fines for loud mufflers. He loved talking to people, he was
definitely a social butterfly.
John
worked for Giddings and Lewis, Gibson in Plymouth and then at Mercury Marine
for 35 years. He worked mostly in Plant 98. He was also on the Hazmat Team
which he enjoyed. John retired in 2006 and became even more busy.
John is
survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children, Lori (Kevin) McCrory, James
(Suzette) Broennimann, Lori (Ty) Develice Collins, Anthony (Jennifer) Develice,
David Broennimann, Cheryl (Tim) Beyer, Joseph Broennimann and Thomas (Trina)
Develice; grandchildren, Shane and Victoria McCrory, Lola and Sawyer Broennimann,
Madalyne and Jonah Broennimann, Kaylee Collins, Parker and Levi Develice, Ryan
and Brandon Beyer, and Connor, Devin and Mason Develice.
John is
further survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dick (Muriel)
Jones, Bonnie (Johnny) Irving, Sharon (Mike) Jones, Wally Jones, Christine
(Joe) Stinemates, Michael (Sue) Nelson, John (Mary) Nelson, Anne Marie (Pokey)
Drew, Mark Nelson, Arlene (Jim) Borzick, Gerry Develice and Barbara Develice;
mother-in-law, Violet Nelson; and many nieces, nephews and extended relatives.
John was
preceded in death by his first wife, Donna, brother, Harvey and his parents.
Due to
current COVID-19 restrictions, a private family service is being held.
Entombment will take place at Calvary Mausoleum.
In lieu of
flowers, memorials may be given in John’s name to the Dementia Society of
America (dementiasociety.org) or to Holy Family Parish (hffdl.org).
Online
condolences can be shared at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com.