John Gilbert Breitwisch was born on June 12, 1943. On March 19, 2024, he entered eternal life with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He left this world as he lived it, following God’s word: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
John, age 80, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was well known for his bright smile, sense of humor, boisterous laugh, and community involvement. He died at home.
John was born in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, in 1943 to Gilbert H. and Leona nee Ruff Breitwisch. He was warmly welcomed into the family as the younger brother of sisters Betty and Nancy. Several years later, John became the older brother to sister Janine. John remembers growing up in a loving family. He had very happy memories of his home, family, and neighborhood. He especially enjoyed the years he spent as a child living in Lincoln, Texas. Those years were often fondly reminisced.
John was a baptized member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He attended Lutheran primary schools, often being taught by his father or older sister, and upon the family’s return to the Milwaukee area, he could attend Concordia Milwaukee High School and Junior College, as it was at that time. He met and married Lynn nee Verburgt Breitwisch on August 16, 1966. She was his faithful partner and best friend for life. Throughout their years together, any ups and downs they faced, he always knew who would stand by his side and support him wholeheartedly. That love gave him the strength to face many challenges in life.
Together, John and Lynn shared the “seminary years” at Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO. In St. Louis, they welcomed their first child, John Andrew, in 1970. John graduated from the Seminary in 1970, and then, with an eager heart to serve the Lord, a dedicated and loving wife, and a newborn son, John set out for his first call as Pastor to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Forest, PA. There, John and Lynn welcomed their second son, Matthew Joseph 1972, and daughter, Dinah Lynn 1976, two and six years later. John quickly became known as someone who enjoyed music, singing in choirs throughout his ministry. John loved being a pastor. He loved sharing God’s word. He loved teaching through worship and Bible studies. He loved working with the young people of the congregation, his confirmation class, and the youth group, and he enjoyed the joy of VBS, particularly the VBS songs. This joy would continue throughout his ministry. He faithfully served St. John’s Lutheran church for seven years from 1970-1977. During that time, John and Lynn made lifelong friends with whom they have faithfully visited and kept in touch.
In 1977, John took a call to be Pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He, Lynn, and their three children began a new adventure. It turned out to be a great decision. Beaver Dam is where they raised their children, made community contacts, became involved in activities they enjoy, made countless memories, bought their house, and truly made it a home. In addition to becoming very involved in the church, John became involved in the community. He loved doing things with his children, and he and his sons have great memories of his time as a Cub Scout leader. He was also an active member of The Lions Club for 40 years and served in many official roles, including one term as president. As a Lion member, he was awarded The Distinguished Service Award, The Melvin Jones Award, and The Knight of Sight Fellowship Award.
John’s greatest achievement has always been his family. Spending special time with family has always been one of the most important things to him. John loved camping, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing with his family; however, he also loved to watch movies, have a popcorn snack, or just sit around a fire and enjoy being with them.
John was a lifelong swimmer; he enjoyed sharing this activity with his two younger grandsons, Calen and Jonah, during his and Lynn’s many trips to New York. Camping on the “Breitwisch Family Land” in Pennsylvania, purchased when they lived in Forest, Pennsylvania, was a yearly tradition that brought great joy as he worked the land until it became his vision of a wonderful little place to call his. John also developed a great love of antiques, refinishing furniture, and woodworking, hobbies he shared with friends and family. He also could not resist poking around an estate sale, antique shop, and thrift store, looking for the elusive “great buy.” He was blessed to be joined on these excursions by many patient family members and found a true “like-hearted” secondhand shopper in his first grandson, Peter. It was this joy of woodworking that led to finding another great enjoyment in his ministry in Beaver Dam when Peace began the Advent Workshops. Each year, he would carefully decide which woodworking project he would lead and then teach those who signed up for his project how to create it. He enjoyed and relaxed with his pets, especially his dogs, Caleb and Rufus, and had a special relationship with his daughter Dinah’s cat, Cruise.
John Gilbert Breitwisch was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert H. Breitwisch and Leona nee Ruff Breitwisch; his mother and father-in-law, Joseph Verburgt and Ethel nee Barber Verburt; sisters Betty nee Breitwisch Wenzel and Nancy Breitwisch; and brother-in-law Elmer Wenzel.
He is survived by his life’s companion of 57 years, Lynn nee Verburgt Breitwisch; his children, John (Ruthann) Breitwisch, Matthew (Alice) BrightSky, and Dinah Breitwisch; and his grandchildren, Peter Breitwisch, Calen, and Jonah BrightSky. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Janine and Bill Relyea, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joseph and Lori Verburgt, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Breitwisch family expresses a heartfelt thank you for the compassionate care and understanding shown to them by Hillside Hospice during this difficult time.
. Visitation for John will take place on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Peace Lutheran Church, 400 Hillcrest Dr., Beaver Dam from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2:30 p.m. Private family interment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam.
Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family. You may send private online condolences or sign the family’s guest book at www.cstonefs.com.
