John Alvin Everts, a Wisconsin native and resident of Elkhorn since 2004, was called home to Jesus on Oct. 21, 2021 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.  Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Feb 6, 1930, he grew up during the Great Depression and learned early on the values of hard work, love and respect for family, the difference between true needs vs. wants, and being generous with time, talent, and treasure.  John was the 2nd oldest of 5 boys.   He graduated from Custer High School in 1948.  Not long after graduation, John joined the United States Army and served as a company clerk at Fort Richardson/Anchorage in the Alaska territory.   After returning from service, John worked for A.O. Smith and AC Electronics, in Milwaukee, and Lockheed Missile and Space in California and Georgia.

John's life and love of travel took him many places during his 91 years on earth.  After his army adventures, he moved his family to Arvada, CO, Santa Clara, CA, back to Milwaukee and finally to Albuquerque, NM, in 1970.  John resided in Albuquerque for 22 years and worked as a procurement officer and advisor for the Small Business Administration at Kirtland AFB.  He strongly believed in the value of a good Catholic education for his five children, making sure each was able to attend at least 8 years.  This began in Milwaukee, enrolling the first 3 at Queen of Peace, followed by a two-year stay at Our Lady of Fatima in Albuquerque, and moving to Our Lady of the Assumption from 1972-1980.  John dedicated much of his spare time and talents to improving the look and function of OLA school, providing a healthier learning environment for every student, in addition to setting up a pay scale where larger families would not be burdened by the rising cost of tuition.  He enjoyed singing and was a member of the church choir for many years.  John's faith was important to him, and he made sure to share it with his children every chance he got.  He cherished the relationships he forged with his friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

After retiring from Civil Service in 1990, John embarked on new adventures including co-owning a restaurant, traveling multiple times to Europe, working with Global Volunteers, and residing in South Dakota, Northern Illinois, and Eastern Tennessee.  He met his wife, Maria, in 1997 and they were married in 2001.  After a 3-year stay in Tennessee, they made Elkhorn, WI their home in 2004.  John welcomed Maria's sons into his family, and later 2 new grandsons.

John was the original GPS before the technology was every developed: he could drive his way over, through and around any corn field on any county road and find his way from Point A to Point B.  He will be remembered for his vegetable gardens, love of cheese, sausage, beer and all things Wisconsin, Luminarias and New Mexican cuisine (the hotter the better), playing sheepshead with his brothers, and engaging in good conversation.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Kathryn, his oldest brother, David, grand-daughter, Heather, and sisters-in-law, Miwako and Barbara.  He is survived by his wife, Maria, of 20 years;  children Mark (Lillie) of Harker Heights, TX, Tom of Phoenix, AZ, Maryann Hamilton (Charlie) of Altoona, WI, John (Karen Costienes) of Apple Valley, CA, Roberta Edwards (Steve) of Rio Rancho, NM, Mirek Maczewski of Elkhorn, WI, and Darek Maczewski of Oconomowoc, WI;  grandchildren Bradley, Daniel, Christine Grieser, Ashley Alvarado, Katie Grieser, Emily, Kayla, Samantha, John, Sophie, Connor Maczewski and Carson Maczewski; great-grandchildren Madison and Liam; brothers Michael (Joan) of The Villages, FL, Roger of Escondido, CA, Dennis (Rachel) of Dandridge, TN, and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held at a date to be determined, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Elkhorn, WI, with internment at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Sturtevant, WI.  Online guest book at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.