John Paul Karner Jr.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of John Paul Karner Jr., 65, on February 4, 2025, from Milwaukee, and Eagle River, Wisconsin. After a battle with health issues, John's strength and resilience never wavered, but ultimately, he succumbed to his illness. Born in Zion, Illinois, on January 11, 1960, John lived his life to the fullest. Looking back, he often said, "You'll never know how much fun I've had," a sentiment that truly reflected his carefree spirit and love for living in the moment.
John was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his loving mother, Dolores Karner, and his siblings: Lynn (Susan Kirsch) Karner, Loren (Patricia) Karner, Steve Karner, and Karen (Robert) Bauer. He was a proud uncle to John (Sarah) Karner, Paul Karner, Luke (Andrea) Karner, Sarah (Brandon) Olsen, James (Monica) Karner, Dr. Michael (Dr. Tanya) Karner, Matthew (Kristi) Karner, Natalie Karner, Evan (Karla) Bauer, and Eric Bauer, as well as a great-uncle to many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, John Paul Karner Sr.
John graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1978 and began his career in the gas utility and deep tunnel project before discovering his true passion as a Firefighter with the City of Milwaukee on February 14th, 1983. He worked there until retirement as a Heavy Equipment Operator for 27 years. He felt fortunate to have a job he loved and left a lasting impact on everyone he worked with.
While John took great pride in his work, he had a knack for finding a work-loving life balance and knew how to make the most of his time. With a flexible schedule, he made sure his summers and winters were filled with adventure-whether cruising on his motorcycle, fishing by the water, spending time with friends, floating on his pontoon, or unwinding on his deck up north. His email address, "neverbehome@...com," was a testament to his commitment to living life on his terms, always making time for the things and people that mattered most.
John had a gift for telling stories. Once he started, you knew it was time to get comfortable as it was going to be awhile. His tales, often filled with humor and adventure, seemed to stretch on forever, leaving everyone captivated by his endless enthusiasm and his ability to make even the smallest moments unforgettable.
At John's request, join us for an open house to celebrate his life by sharing stories at Matty's Bar & Grill in the Event Center, 14460 College Avenue, New Berlin, WI 53151, on Saturday, February 22nd, from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Vilas County, 330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521.
Church & Chapel Funeral Service Serving the Family Milw. 262-827-0659 Wauk. 262-549-0659 Online Obit, Condolences, Directions www.churchandchapel.com