Johnnie Joe "John" Mroczek

1944 - 2024

Johnnie Joe "John" Mroczek 80, Rensselaer, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024, at home surrounded by his family.

John was born to Robert and Ethel (Joseph) Mroczek, March 16, 1944, in Rensselaer. John was the middle child of the family with a sister, Anna, older and a sister, Carolyn, younger. John lived on the same city block his entire 80 years. John was always a very hard worker, mowing lawns after school and in the summers and working many long hours in the large fields north of town as a kid to earn money for what he wanted and needed.

As a teen John loved to go roller-skating for Saturday evening fun and relaxation, and on June 6, 1961, at Bazz's Roller rink he met a young girl named Kathy Redgate. It was love at first sight and they were married Aug. 15, 1963.

John and Kathy were blessed with two amazing children Barbara, in 1964, and Michael in 1967.

John and Kathy with Barb and Mike spent the young growing up years traveling through many states on their annual vacations and various weekend excursions. Many favorite memories were made of visiting national parks and state parks and camping in their pick-up camper and then mini-motorhome camper. John and Kathy's favorite phrase reminiscing about their younger years is, "our kids grew up seeing this country from border to border and ocean to ocean... on a baloney sandwich!" John worked hard, sometimes two or three jobs to provide the means for the fun of spending quality time with the family enjoying the blessings of this beautiful country we live in.

Anyone who knows John, knows he loves old cars, Wheel Horse tractors, and most anything with a motor that needs tinkering with! Over the years John managed to fill up a couple of good-sized buildings with his cars and tractor collection. This is a passion he has passed on to all three of his grandsons, Nathan, Dylan and Dalton. Even after the cancer was taking a toll on his body John took the Hospice Chaplain, Rich Stoll, out to the garage to check out the Model A. On another of the Chaplain's visits when John was too weak to go outside, he insisted Mike take the Chaplain and show him a few more cars in the big toolshed.

John and Kathy continued to enjoy traveling after the kids were grown up and they became empty nesters. The camper was sold, and they decided that motels could be nice and at times a lot less work. They continued to take several trips each year as time and money permitted. Road trips through the western US was probably their favorite destination, but then MI UP was pretty cool also, and until Hurricane Michael destroyed it, they had a favorite beach destination on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. Excursions on old steam powered tourist trains were also a huge enjoyment for them, soot in your face and hair and all that along goes with those huge black steam engines! And last but certainly not least... some of their most favorite trips were "getting their kicks on old Route 66"! John and Kathy were blessed to enjoy so much of this beautiful country.

John retired from White Castle Bakery in January 2022, following 23 years of service, just two months before his 78th birthday, as I said earlier John was always a hard worker and loved his work. John also worked 32 years at Northway Products and several years prior to that at Saint Joseph's College.

John was affiliated with the Bethany Evangelical Free Church where he enjoyed keeping the planters full of beautiful flowers all summer long. John and Kathy also hosted a huge bon-fire/weenie roast for many years inviting the entire congregation, as well as friends and neighbors to spend an enjoyable evening around a blazing bon-fire.

John is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years Kathy; daughter, Barbara, Rensselaer; son, Michael (Kim), Monticello; three grandsons, Nathan (Deanna) Mroczek, Rensselaer, Dylan Mroczek, Monticello, Dalton Mroczek, partner Hannah, Rensselaer; and great-grandchildren, Cameron Grzych, Morgan Mroczek and Jonathan Mroczek, all of Rensselaer. He is also survived by his sister, Anna (Bud) Eisele, Texas; brother-in-law, Don (Sharon) Curnutt, Monticello; brother-in-law, Bill Boles, Elkhart; numerous nieces and nephews, John and Brenda Eisele, Tim and Carmin Eisele and family, Linda and Steve Jennings and family, Randy and Cindy Cook and family, Rick and Viola Cook and family and Roger and Sue Cook and family.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Clarence and Ruby Redgate; his sister, Carolyn Boles; his beloved granddaughter, Caylynn Mroczek; sister-in­ law, Eileen Cook-Reid; niece, Christine; and great-niece, Candace.

Friends may call on the family on Friday, July 5 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. CT at Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. CT with interment at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Rensselaer.

Memorial contributions may be made to Franciscan Hospice.

To share memories and/or condolences, please visit www.jacksonfuneral.com