John Robert Hatch

1943 - 2025

John Robert Hatch

March 6, 1943 - February 2, 2025

John Robert Hatch, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 2, 2025, in North Palm Beach, Fla.

Born on March 6, 1943, in Oak Park, Ill., to John and Frances (Hennessy) Hatch, John spent his formative years in LaGrange, Ill., where he was raised in the Catholic faith. He attended Lyons Township High School, where he built lifelong friendships and excelled in sports, particularly football. After graduating high school in 1961, he attended Drake University before earning a business degree from Milton College in Wisconsin in 1967.

In 1965, John met the love of his life, Sandra Mesler. Their connection was instant and within six months of their first date, they were engaged. They married on February 4, 1967, at St. Cletus Catholic Church in LaGrange, Ill. Together, they built a beautiful life, moving through several western suburbs before settling in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in 1978 where they raised their three children: Sheila, Mark and Ryan.

John began his professional career at Acme Wiley Sign Corporation in Elk Grove Village, Ill., where he worked under the mentorship of his close friend and cousin, Roger O'Neill. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own businesses in Rockford, Ill., and southern Wisconsin, initially focusing on industrial and healthcare staffing before expanding into home medical equipment. His son, Mark, joined the business in 2002, followed by Ryan in 2015, growing Integrated HomeCare Services into the thriving company it remains today.

An avid golfer, John treasured his time on the course, sharing laughs and stories over cocktails with dear friends. Many fond memories were made at Lake Geneva Country Club and Lost Tree Club, where he and his family enjoyed golf, tennis, and paddle tennis. He was fortunate to play some of the world's most renowned courses, including Pine Valley, Augusta National, and Pebble Beach. He enjoyed time away on father-son fishing trips and long boat rides at the helm of his cherished Lyman, Survivor. Over the years, the family spent many evenings watching the sunset from this cherished wooden boat on the beautiful waters of Lake Geneva.

John's warmth, humor, and kindness left a lasting impact on everyone he met. He had an exceptional ability to make others feel valued and heard. He loved a well-crafted cocktail, a great meal, and the camaraderie of friends, but above all, he loved his family deeply. John was a survivor. He survived a catastrophic plane crash in July of 1989 and a lung transplant as a result of a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis in 2015. John had an uncanny ability to take life's greatest challenges in stride and he remained a true fighter to the very end.

John is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sandra; his sons, Mark (Kristin) and Ryan (Jen Reichold); former son-in-law, Tim Kane and his five beloved grandchildren: Lauren, Maddie, and Sean Kane, and Will and Charlie Hatch. He is also survived by his sisters, Patty Zulauf and Nancy Cardani (Dan), along with many cherished nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Sheila.

John's legacy of love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to family and friends will be forever remembered.

A celebration of John's life will be held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on Thursday, May 15 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 148 Main Street, Lake Geneva, WI.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Yerkes Future Foundation

Yerkes Observatory

373 West Geneva Street

Williams Bay, WI 53191

yerkesobservatory.org/donate

Lake Geneva Country Club Foundation, Inc.

Messina & Associates, CPA

2700 International Drive Ste 300

West Chicago, IL 60185