John Tankovitch

John Tankovitch — known to many as “Tank” — was born on Oct. 17, 1950, and went home to live with our Lord and Savior on May 25, 2023. He was 72 years old, and even though he died, he never let the old man in.

John grew up in the 26th and Vliet neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wis., and he loved telling stories about his youth there. He graduated from West Division High School in 1969.

After high school, he started his career in sales at Sterns and later worked at Leeson Electric and Baldor Power Solutions until his retirement in 2019.

On the advice of his friends who had been to Vietnam, he did not voluntarily enlist and was never drafted for the war, but he always regretted never serving and had a deep respect for all soldiers. He honored them by volunteering at the Port Washington American Legion and Leatherneck Club for many decades.

He met the love of his life, Eleonore Spiering, at a Civil Air Patrol event in 1968, and they were married in Milwaukee on Sept. 23, 1972. They had two children, Jennifer and Alan, and moved from Milwaukee to Port Washington in 1976, where they welcomed and hosted family and friends in their home for the next 47 years.

John loved his family, Christmas (especially spoiling his grandkids), fast cars, silly dogs, making people laugh, starting his day with black coffee and ending his day with cold beer.

He was a member of the Ozaukee Lodge #17 Free and Accepted Masons, the Scottish Rite, Tripoli Shriners and the Sports Car Club of America, Milwaukee Region.

In true Tank style, he quietly stepped out before anyone else knew that it was time to say goodbye. If you loved him, we hope you know that he absolutely loved you too.

John is survived by his wife Eleonore “Ellie” Tankovitch of Port Washington and his two children, Jennifer (Rob) Clearwater of Port Washington and Alan (Pam) Tankovitch of Milwaukee.

He is further survived by three adored grandchildren, Emily, Paige and Roman, his cousin who was like a brother, Ernie Bottom, other relatives and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Roberta (Bottom) Tankovitch, his sister Grace, his aunt and uncle Tillie and Ernie Bottom Sr., and many other beloved family members.

Join us to celebrate Tank’s life on June 22 from 3 to 5 p.m., with a brief service at 5 p.m. at Christ Church, 13460 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, and from 7 to  10 p.m. at the Patio Bar & Grill, 601 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, where friends and family will have opportunities to share their favorite memories of him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinerschildrens.org).

Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, is honored to serve the Tankovitch family.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.