John A. Milisauskas, age 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 13, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. On October 18, 1948, John was born to Jonas and Marija (Smailys) Milisauskas in Augustdorf, Germany in a displaced persons camp, which was an American Sector of occupied Germany. He emigrated to the United States and lived in Maine with his parents and older brother Sarunas in 1950. In 1952, he and his family moved from Maine to Kenosha. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School. He met his wife Barbara McGovern in 1964. They were united in marriage on December 2, 1972, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. John graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison with a bachelor’s degree in Math and later earned a master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Throughout the years he worked in workforce development at Wisconsin Job Service, Private Industry Council and at the Kenosha County Job Center. In his retirement years, he was the interim executive director at the Kenosha Literacy Council and United Way of Kenosha and provided medical data reports to the state of Wisconsin for Aurora Healthcare. Throughout his life, John believed in service and in giving back to others. He coached youth soccer through KASL and boys and girls soccer at St. Joseph High School, youth basketball through CYO and AAU and girls basketball at Ruether High School, worked the soup kitchen at Grace Lutheran Church, lectored and worked the festival at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, volunteered at Head Start, mentored students at Kenosha Unified, and was on the boards of the Spanish Center of Kenosha, CYO, WWBIC, the Kenosha Literacy Council, St. Thomas School and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Kenosha. He was awarded the Green Bay Packers Service Award: Giving Back to Others and the Mahone Award-Living Legend. December 9, 2011 was declared John Milisauskas Day by the Kenosha County Executive. John was a proud Lithuanian. He has visited his family in Lithuania nine times since 1989. He was also an avid Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer fan. John is survived by his wife, Barb of 51 years; his children: Lisa Milisauskas-Feldmeier of Milwaukee, Theresa (Brad) Schwer of Kenosha and Beth (Dan) Anderson of Kenosha; his grandchildren: Frankie (Jake) Ruschfeier of Des Moines, Iowa, Nicholas Feldmeier of Milwaukee, Julia, Emma and Anna Schwer of Kenosha and Donnelly and Isabella Anderson of Kenosha; his sister Anne (Alvydas) Arbas, his brother Anthony (Ramona) Milisauskas, sister-in-law Vita Milisauskas; brother-in-law Terry (Pat) McGovern, sister-in-law Marilyn (Ed) Epping, sister-in-law Nancy McGovern, brother-in-law Bob McGovern, and many nieces and nephews who loved and adored him. John was preceded in death by his parents Jonas and Marija, his brother Sarunas, father-in-law Frank McGovern, mother-in-law Joyce McGovern and brother-in-law Jim McGovern. The family would like to thank Kenosha Fire and Rescue and the staff at the Intensive Care Unit at Froedtert South for their compassion and care. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, July 21, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Proko Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the funeral home and interment will follow in St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, WI. Memorial donations may be made to The Shalom Center, the Kenosha Literacy Council, Hunger Task Force or the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, in John’s memory. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit & Sign John’sOnline Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Kathryn Ann Larabee
July 27, 2024
I worked with John at Aurora Memorial Hospital in Burlington. We were both in the Quality Department. He would bring us treats from his adventures to his home country. When I retired he gifted me wonderful boxes of tea to enjoy. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a good man. Kathy Larabee
Marilyn Smith
July 21, 2024
A fellow Lithuanian, I attended elementary school with John at the old St. Peter’s school. We were a close group, only 16 of us in our 8th grade graduating class. There are so many good memories of those years! Although we moved on to different high schools and lost touch as time went on, the memories remain as something very special. My condolences to the entire family, sending prayers.Marilyn Strash Smith
Jim Kennedy
July 18, 2024
Through my professional work and volunteering in human services in Kenosha, I had the pleasure of knowing John for more than 20 years and the privilege of working closely with him at the Kenosha County Dept. of Human Services during the last 12 years of his full-time career. I and his other colleagues regarded John as a consummate professional, a top-tier manager and a thoroughly decent and honorable person. His calm, thoughtful, low-keyed and always civil manner set a standard for professionalism in public service that will endure. And, as anyone who has worked with John knows, he also had a wonderfully wry sense of humor -- both in English and Lithuanian (at least his colleagues assumed it was Lithuanian whenever he would say something in a language we didn't understand, ... and then chuckle mischievously). The Kenosha community has benefitted immensely from having so much of John's career dedicated to local public service, and those of us who worked with John over the years will forever consider ourselves fortunate. He will be greatly missed by family, friends and all who knew him.
Cathy Zwiefelhofer
July 17, 2024
We knew John for many years as co-workers and friends. He was a kind, caring person who treated everyone with respect and compassion. He was a supportive and loyal friend. We only have warm memories of John and will cherish those forever. Most importantly, we know that John had a deep and loyal love for his family. Barb and family- we send you our love and know that your memories will bring you comfort.Cathy (Frederking) and Tom Zwiefelhofer
Frank Jospeh Parise
July 17, 2024
So very sorry for your loss. Frank & Cheryl Parise Family
Heather Toscano
July 16, 2024
I’m saddened to hear of the passing John. He touched so many lives while coaching myself and so many others in AAU. Sending prayers of comfort and many hugs to you Barb. Heather (Bogenschneider) Toscano
Mike Serpe
July 16, 2024
John has taken his leave, we are poorer for the loss of his presence in our lives, but so fortunate for having him with us while we did.John’s life was full of love family, and the deeply held belief that life his life should be lived in service to the community he loved.I was honored to have known John for over five decades. I will miss him but not remotely as much as Barb and her family will. I know that our memories of John will be a comfort and a blessing.
Franciene Hassman
July 15, 2024
My deepest sympathies to all of Johns family.John was my boss several times while I was employed at the Job Center in Kenosha. Not only was he a great boss,he was a very kind and decent human being. He cared about doing a good job but he cared the most about helping others. But his job was not the only thing he cared about! His family was number one! He was a great son, loving husband and caring and doting father.He deserved all the awards and accolades he received.Rest in peace John. May God bless you for a job well done and may God Bless and watch over your loving family.With love and respect,Franciene Hassman
Vita Millisauskas
July 15, 2024
Our deepest sympathy to Barbara, Lisa, Theresa and Beth on the passing of John. We still remember fondly the visit of Barbara, John and the girls to our home on Chapel Woods. Sarunas taking them for a ride to Niagara Falls and the girls enjoying it although they had to sleep on the floor in our family room. John and Sarunas had a good time chatting. We love you all so much and we grieve with you. Love Vita and Aida