Jimmy Johanknecht's Obituary
Jimmy Dale “J.J.” Johanknecht
Waupaca, WI
Age 67 - passed away on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at the Riverside Medical Center in Waupaca. Jimmy was born on July 3, 1943 in Waupaca, WI, the son of Raymond and Alma (Grunwald) Johanknecht. He married Sandy Mannel on April 2, 1992 in Las Vegas, NV.
Jimmy will be greatly missed by his wife, Sandy, children, Raymond Monte (Dawn) Johanknecht of Neenah and their children; Jenna and Brooklyn, Tami (Nick) Neitzel of Hartland and their children; Morgan and Logan, and Scott (Viva) Johanknecht of Oshkosh and their children; Natalie and Tristan, his former wife; Mary (Wendt) Johanknecht, step-children, Kevin (Michele) Guyant of Waupaca and their children, Briya, Alison, Brayden, Elizabeth, and Brogan, Lori Guyant of Jackson, and Jennifer Guyant of Milwaukee, great grandson, Riley, brother, Jerry Johanknecht of Waupaca, and nieces, Julie, Joni, Ronda, and Renee. Jimmy is further survived by great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends. Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, a sister-in-law, Donna Johanknecht, and two infant great nephews.
Jimmy was proud to have served in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam War. He served with the Black Horse Infantry Division as a tank driver, and was awarded the Purple Heart. After returning from serving his country, Jimmy went to work for the former Wendt-Peterson Ford dealership in Waupaca, where he was employed for 20 years. He then went to work for the Waupaca Foundry and was employed with the foundry for 18 years. He was a life member of the V.F.W. and the D.A.V. He spent 27 years as a member of the Waupaca Volunteer Fire Dept. In addition to being a volunteer fire fighter, he was a fire inspector and a certified diver for the fire department. He was a former member of the Waupaca Jaycee’s. Jimmy enjoyed fishing, and especially enjoyed the musky fishing trips he took with his friends. He also enjoyed deer hunting with his brother, Jerry. Jimmy was a member of Shepherd of the Lakes Church in Waupaca. Jimmy always loved the time he could spend with his grandchildren, and loved giving them rides through the woods on his four-wheeler.
A memorial service will be held at the Shepherd of The Lakes Church in Waupaca on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 11:00 AM, with the Reverend David Martin, officiating. Interment along with military honors will be in the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at King, WI. A visitation will be held at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI on Monday, November 1, 2010 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM, and again on Tuesday morning from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Theda Care at Home Hospice, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or for a V.F.W. Scholarship in memory of Jimmy Dale “J.J.” Johanknecht. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.
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