Surrounded by family, John Joseph Iannitello Sr, concluded a life well lived on July 24, 2024, at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay. He was born August 29, 1942, in Chicago, a son of the late Joseph and Florence (Smith) Iannitello. He had one older half-sister, Elizabeth Kovar, and four older half-brothers: Peter Girup, Fred Girup, Jerry Girup, and Glen Girup. Because his home was unstable, his mother sent him to live at different family homes, including a summer on the farm of a cousin where he left with fond memories. It was during his youth that a Catholic sister introduced him to the faith that sustained him for the rest of his life. He attended Quigley Minor Seminary for two years during his high school years and graduated high school from St. Mel’s in Chicago, Illinois, while living with his sister, Betty, and her sons. In May of 1961, he joined the Army and served until June of 1963 when he took a hardship leave to return home to care for his ailing mother. Caring for others was a recurring theme in John’s life. In 1964 he married Patricia Smith. This was the result of a blind date where he was trying to set her up with his cousin, and somehow, he turned out to be her date. Pat and John’s families became closely intertwined and the family lines blurred between the two sides. They had a daughter, Susan in 1965, and a son, John Jr. in 1966. They moved to Appleton where John worked and also went to night school to complete his electronics technician degree. In addition, he spent many hours working on remodeling and finishing their home. John was the jack-of-all-trades and could master any repair, remodeling, or building project. We aren’t saying he ever completed any of those projects, but he was good at it. He was also famous for multiple daily trips to Kitz & Pfeil Hardware store as planning was not his strength. He was committed to his parish at Sacred Heart in Appleton, WI, where he served as a lector, sang in the choir, taught CCD classes, and helped lead the Club Scout group. It was a regular occurrence for him to stop at the rectory after Mass and have lengthy discussions with Monsignor Schmidt or any of the subsequent priests. He was fond of camping, reading, dancing, and loudly napping. His wife yearned to live in the woods so in 1978 the family moved to 40 acres North of Ladysmith, WI. Pat decided she didn’t really like the woods so much, so she left. John started a residential wiring company with his best friend Robert Chady. John met Mary Lou Gudis while doing some electrical work on her farm. Well, there was definitely a spark there. He married Mary Lou in 1985 and immediately accepted her three boys: Jason, Justin, and Jiles as family.
He also added his elderly mother and sister to the household. In 1983, John and Mary Lou had a daughter, Gina. Then his son, John Jr, brought home a classmate for dinner who had stayed for
nearly two years. Together the couple took in seventeen foster kids and cared for them as their own. John would fondly refer to the clan as “his, hers, ours, and theirs.” In 1990 John and Mary Lou moved to the Gresham and Shawano area and were members of Sacred Heart in Shawano and St. Francis Solanus in Gresham. He continued working, teaching, and volunteering and was also a member of World Wide Dream Builders where he traveled for conferences and was committed to helping others improve their life with the WWDB teachings.
In his final years, he spent many days, hours, and miles on the road offering transportation to the local Amish community. It was impossible for him to turn down any request for help. He most
recently volunteered to help with the cemetery of his parish, St. Francis Solanus. It quickly became apparent there was much work to be done there, which he was not able to complete. His final comment to his pastor regarding the cemetery was “good luck!” John will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving dad, and reliable friend, but John’s best role was that of proud Papa. He loved to blow out his dentures and then ask the kids to do the same. He leaves a legacy of humor, faith, and love.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou Iannitello; daughters, Susan (Tom) Rouse, and Gina (Andy) Damveld; son, John (Margaret) Iannitello Jr; stepsons, Jason (Shelly) Gudis, Justin
(Alice Folgate) Gudis, and Jiles (Kassie) Gudis; grandchildren, Kelly (Justin) Lindberg, Ryan Miller, Megan Miller, Danny Damveld Maria (Carson) Watters, Gracie Damveld, Halie Damveld, Beth (Sam) Schoepp, Rebecca (Jon) Menk, Jessica Iannitello, Mary (Isaac Ferguson) Iannitello, Teresa Iannitello, Christopher Iannitello, and Monica Iannitello; great-grandchildren, Ryatt Watters, Mathias Schoepp, Anastasia Schoepp, April Menk, and Ophelia Menk; bonus grandchildren, Cassandra (Kent) Nickell, Lisa (Mark) Saffert, and Kira Hansen; bonus great-grandchildren, Austin (Devina) Hagstrom, Justin Nickell, Keegan Nickell, Kyle (Cherishe) Nickell, Amber Nickell, and Jason Saffert; and bonus great-great-grandchildren, Aerabella Hagstrom, Everleigh Lathrop, and Sierra Sparks. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and great-grandson, Tatem Lindberg. It’s fitting that he eventually died due to heart failure. He spent his entire life giving his heart to others, it was time for a rest. He loved so much and continually made personal sacrifices in order to make others happy. He was the epitome of a good Christian, and we were all so very blessed to have him as long as we did.
A Memorial Mass for John will be celebrated on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Gresham. Fr. Timothy Machila will be the Celebrant. The burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:30 am and continue until the time of Mass.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc. of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
“The family would like to extend their extreme gratitude to the entire staff at Bellin Hospital. Everyone was so kind, warm, tolerant, and informative. We thank you!”
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