John ‘Roger’ Schanen

John R. “Roger” Schanen, age 88, of Delafield, Wis., formerly of Port Washington, Wis., peacefully passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at ProHealth Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, Wis.
He was born on April 24, 1931, in Port Washington, Wis.; the son of Herman P. and Hilda Mayer Schanen.
John graduated from Port Washington High School, later serving his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force with the rank of airman first class from 1951 to 1955.
On Oct. 26, 1957, John married Pauline A. “Polly” Godfrey of Detroit, Mich., at St. Norbert Catholic Church in Inkster, Mich. They lived in Milwaukee for a few years, later moving to Grafton to raise their family.
John worked for the A.O. Smith Corp. in Milwaukee as a machine repairman for over 35 years and retired in 1990. He was an active member of the International Association of Machinists Local 1668 and served as treasurer for over 15 years.
While in Grafton, John was a member of St. Joseph Parish Catholic Church and actively involved in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Upon his retirement, John and Polly enjoyed Naples, Fla., for many years. He was active with the American Red Cross, Knights of Columbus and several social groups. He also drove a tram for the Bentley Retirement Community.
In 2013, he and Polly returned to Wisconsin, settling in Delafield. They became members of St. Anthony on the Lake Catholic Parish in Pewaukee.
John is survived by his wife Polly; his children Therese Lusic (special friend Richard Thurow) of Delafield, John Schanen of Sun Prairie, Mary (Christopher) Ceccato of Pewaukee, Joseph Schanen of Germantown and Kathleen (Gregory) DeKalb of Franklin; grandchildren Shannon (Nate) Wendlandt of Chicago and Jerry Lusic (partner Tiffani Rizzio) of Lakeville, Minn.; great-grandson Liam Lusic of Lakeville, Minn.; his sisters Mary (Jerry) Schanen-Moore of Asheville, N.C., and Christine (John) Gregozeski of Port Washington; his brothers Donald (the late Annette) Schanen of the Town of Saukville, Herman (Marsha) Schanen of Port Washington, Paul (Olivia) Schanen of Waukesha, Kenneth Schanen of Fort Myers, Fla., Steve (Debbie) Schanen of Grafton and Glen Schanen of Belgium; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jean and her husband Joseph Kolkema, sisters-in-law Patricia Martin and Harriet and her husband Thomas Drysdale.
A memorial Mass at St. Joseph Parish Catholic Church in Grafton will be celebrated at a later date.
Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Washington.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the American Red Cross or a charity of your choice.
Poole Funeral Home/Crematory, Port Washington, Wis., is assisting the family. Information and condolences are available at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.
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Wisconsin’s largest paid circulation community weekly newspaper. Serving Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Fredonia, Belgium, as well as Ozaukee County government. Locally owned and printed in Port Washington, Wisconsin.
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