John Michael Voss

John Michael Voss
John, age 78, of New Berlin, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at his home. John was born in Key West, FL the son of Donald and Pharol Voss. Growing up in Milwaukee, John was a life-long fan of Leon's Custard Stand, and graduated from Pulaski High School, Class of 1962. His first full-time employment was with the City of Milwaukee Forestry Department. His first foray out of the country in 1966 was in service to his country with the US Army in Vietnam where he worked in the 93D Evac Hospital Motor Pool as a Specialist Four. After returning home to Milwaukee, John moved to California where he started his own tree trimming business. From there, he moved to Green Bay, WI where he began his long career as a Car Salesman. By 1979, John moved back to Milwaukee where he continued in car sales when hired by Tom Swenson at Southgate Ford, later named Braeger Ford, and began his long professional and personal friendship with fellow salesman Don Cavallier. John enjoyed success in his career for 30 years, retiring in 2006.
An avid fan of sports, John closely followed the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Braves/Brewers. He also cheered for the UW Badgers football and basketball, as well as the Marquette Warriors – except when they played Notre Dame, his father's alma mater. A sportsman in his own right, he enjoyed golf and traveled with his buddies to Las Vegas for an annual outing. But John loved fishing, and was good at it. Fishing numerous lakes in Wisconsin and visiting the Eagle Lake Sportsman Lodge in Canada, this family vacation became a 30-year tradition. The lodge owners teased John about being in a boat with his "three wives" – that actually included his sister, Sue Speich, his good friend Lois Schmidt, and his true wife, Monica. And he was generous with his bounty, hosting a July 4th family fish fry each year after returning from that trip.
John enjoyed his contemporary musicians, especially Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison. He liked to read a variety of books from fictional intrigue to historical recounts of everything from life in the Old West to critical moments in the US Military. His favorite movie was Spartacus. John was an unabashed prankster, his sense of humor, legendary. Notably quite comfortable with laughing at himself. Bald before bald was cool, when tailgating after a Brewer game, John playfully attached a plunger to his head and it took an impressive effort to remove it, resulting in a red ring around his head for several days. Quite a first impression when meeting Linda Herwig, who became a dear friend. John had many friends, and it is no exaggeration to say that if you knew John, you liked him. His loyalty to friends started in the third grade with life-long buddies Tom Filar and Mike Hoppe.
Seven years ago, John was diagnosed with cancer, and he beat it. Cancer returned, however, and the dedication of the Froedtert Cancer Team led by Dr. Smitha Menon, brought more success. Notably, John did not die from cancer. Ultimately, heart failure took John, just like a regular guy.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Pharol Voss, sister and brother-in-law Diane and Dave Brown, and his brother Fred Voss. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 37 years, Monica, his sister Sue (Don) Speich, his children Paul (Gayle) Voss, Jill Bement, Lynn Albert, Janet Green, Gus (Judy Maki) Voss, 12 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews – especially his best buddy, Kevin Nelson.
The celebration of John's life will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2023 (Elvis birthday, btw) from 12:00 PM at CHURCH AND CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 15250 W. National Ave., New Berlin, with Military Honors at 1:00 PM and the eulogy at 3:00 PM.
If you would like to make a donation in John's memory, please consider donations to the Disabled American Veterans, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.
If you can join John's celebration, please wear your favorite Packers, Braves, Brewers, Badgers or Warriors (aka Golden Eagles) jersey, an Elvis shirt or your fishing hat. And be ready to laugh. John would.
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