John C. Smolinski, age 84, of Powers Lake, WI, made the journey to his heavenly home on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Only child of the late Chester and Florence Smolinski, John was born on April 8, 1940, in the Chicagoland area. He attended St. Hedwig’s School and went on to graduate from East Leyden High School. Immediately following graduation, John was drafted into the United States Army Reserves, serving honorably for 4 years, working as a cook and chef. John was united in marriage to Janet Walz, who preceded him in death in 1979. He owned and operated Arrow Cartage and Crating for 35 years, and in retirement, John briefly owned the Old Mill Restaurant in Powers Lake. John was a Catholic who found peace, solace, and strength in his relationship with God.
A true social butterfly, John never met a stranger and made connections effortlessly with his great sense of humor and larger-than-life personality that drew people to him. He was very giving, inclusive, and generous, occasionally to a fault. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life like spending time with family and friends out on the deck with a cold drink in hand. John was also well known for his legendary late-night parties at the lake house, filled with music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses, creating memories that would last a lifetime. John was blessed to find love again later in life and spent 14 wonderful years with his partner and fiancée, Phyllis Stevenson, who preceded him in death in 2023.
John is survived by his son, Jeffrey (Tracy) Smolinski; bonus children, Kimberley Purnell, Robin (Eric) Stoen, Rhonda Casper, and Ken Kellison; many dear friends including Joe and Amy Wronski as well as Pat Dade who provided companionship and comfort in his final weeks; and his faithful feline companion, Ollie.
In death, John is reunited with his parents, Chester and Florence Smolinski; wife, Janet Smolinski; and fiancée, Phyllis Stevenson.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial gathering on Friday, June 28, 2024, from 4:00PM until 7:00PM at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home, 620 Legion Drive, Twin Lakes, WI. Military honors followed by a time of sharing will take place at 6:30PM. Guests are encouraged to “come as they are” in casual attire in honor of John and his laid-back nature.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate or 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN, 38105.
Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory of Twin Lakes is honored to serve the Smolinski family.
