SHARON – John F. Mudgett Sr., age 72, of Sharon passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at MercyHealth in Janesville, in his wife’s arms. He was born in Chicago on August 10, 1950, to Wilbur and Adeline (Mientus) Mudgett. John proposed to his wife after she explained to him that “three strikes and you’re out” didn’t apply because he preferred football, and that he should go for the 4th down. John and Donna (nee Zelesnik) Thomas were united in marriage on March 13, 1999, in Waukegan IL. They lived in Gurnee IL with their blended family of six children until January 1, 2001, when they built their dream home in Sharon. He was a semi truck driver for many years. John served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam from 1969 until 1971 and belonged to the Delavan VFW. He was a proud member of A.A. since 1994 and celebrated 28 years of sobriety on August 19, 2022. John chose cremation for his remains which will be scattered from a cruise ship, somewhere south of Florida, by his wife.
John took pleasure in woodworking in his pole barn, particularly sanding and staining – he and Donna created some beautiful pieces together. He loved traveling, especially cruising. He enjoyed playing free slot machine games on his computer while looking out the picture window, but really preferred the occasional casino visit. He like to watch television, go to musicales, and country music concerts. He grew up in Chicago and was an avid Bears fan and Packer heckler. He lived in many cities in Illinois, Texas and Wisconsin, but for the longest stretch in Sharon, where he found his final home.
John is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Donna; brothers Gene (Jan) Mudgett and Kenneth (Mary Lou) Korzyniewski; 9 children, 20 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren:
Jennifer Mullins – Felicia (Joshua) Horne, (30) / Kaleb (12), Gabriel (10), Carolynn (7).
Rebecca Ann (Dustin) Wiza – Dakota (Bridget) Smith (26) / Natalie (1) – Cheyanne Zabawa (24) / Jaxon (3), Kennedy (2) – Shelby – Evan Hintz (14).
Sean Robert Mudgett (Billie Herz).
Brian Edward Thomas.
John Fred Mudgett, Jr. (Catherine Janczak) – Jake Mudgett (19) – Tori Mudgett (18) – Lara Mudgett (12) – Emma Mudgett (10) – Seth Mudgett (2).
Troy James Mudgett.
Aaron John (Kyleane) Mudgett – Luke Mudgett (13) – Noah Mudgett (9) – Weston Mudgett (6) – Aerilee Mudgett (3.91).
Megan Marie (Brandon) Burkette – Rosalie Burkette (3.97)
Melanie Mae Mudgett – Kyra Springhorn (18) – Jaron Aranda (15) – Adryana Aranda (12) – LeoMessi Aranda (9) – Isabella Mesa (4).
A mother-in-law, Anita “Pat” Zelesnik (95), Alan Stevens (66) who he called brother, and many nieces and nephews. With special thanks to niece Alanna Mientus and Terri Himebauch for their loving support.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur (d. 1968), and Adeline (d. 1975); brothers Albert Mientus (d. 2010) and Joseph Korzyniewski (d. 2014); in-laws Aunt Jennie “JZ” Zelesnik (d. 2007) and Edward Zelesnik (d. 2008).
Visitation will be held from 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. on Monday, September 26, 2022 at the Delavan American Legion with a Celebration of Life with Military Honors being held at 2:00 P.M.
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