John “Jack” Michael Brooks, 93, was called to heaven Sunday, October 1, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He is the son of the late Bernard and Matilda (Wollenberg) Brooks. Jack was born on July 18, 1930, in De Pere, Wisconsin and grew up on a family dairy farm. After graduating from East De Pere High School, he served in the 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion Army division Headquarters and Service company, Kansan AFB, Korea during the Korean conflict from 1951-1953. Jack married Beverly in 1956 and together they were blessed with six children. He was employed at Pawling & Harnischfeger in Milwaukee, WI, and then Paper Converting Machine Company in Green Bay for over 30 years. He was actively involved in his home parish of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church where he served on Parish Leadership Council, lector, Boy Scouts, and distributor of communion, including the home bound. He served the community through ministry to marginalized through St Vincent De Paul Society of Green Bay. He was a member of the De Pere VFW Post 2113 and the American Legion Post 524 in White Lake.
Jack was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed many interests and sports, was a regular presence at his six children’s activities and performances. He was an avid fan of the Packers and Badgers, a golfer, bowler and competitive horseshoe tournament contender. He loved gardening and was a keen observer of current events and politics, reading the newspaper daily from stem to stern. He was a calm, unflappable, “Jack of all trades” able to handle most anything. He built the wonderful family cabin “up north” which continues to be a place of refuge to enjoy nature and setting for many beautiful family memories.
A man of faith, he demonstrated integrity in everything he became involved in. He was always present with quick wit and good humor. He was very social and enjoyed community.
Jack is survived by their six children and their spouses, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren: Becky Brooks, Minneapolis, MN, Brian Brooks, Green Bay, WI, Barbara (Tom) Murphy/ Moore, La Farge, WI and their children: Cally (Erik) Johnson, Deep Haven, MN, Jack (Caroline) Murphy, Elm Grove, WI, Erin Moore, Minneapolis, MN, Bridget Murphy, Chattanooga, TN, Bill (Miyuki) Brooks and their daughter Airi Brooks, Nagoya, Japan, Mary Beth (Jeff) Cross and their two sons, Schuyler and Joseph Aurora, Colorado, and Elizabeth (Wayne) Chmiel Wind Lake, WI, and their two children, Tim (Kiera) Chmiel, Milwaukee, WI and Katie Chmiel, Tempe, Arizona. He is further survived by his sisters, Helen Jean Rentmeester, and Mary Ellen Maes, his brothers, David (Janet) Brooks and James (Barbara) Brooks, and brothers-in-law, Thomas Armstrong and James (Christine) Armstrong.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly (Armstrong) Brooks; his parents, Bernard and Matilda (Wollenberg) Brooks; and in-laws, Clarence and Eva (Rosera) Armstrong and two grandsons, Christopher Chmiel and Sean Brooks as well as his sister, Carol (Brooks) and brother-in-law, Jim Hendricks, sister, Dorothy (Brooks) and brothers-in-law, Tom Michalski, Ronald Rentmeester, and James Maes, Robert, John, William, and sister-in-law, Marguerite “Muggs” Armstrong.
Friends may call at Annunciation Catholic Church, 401 Gray St. on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Rev. Tony Dr Los Santos officiating. Entombment will be in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.