Service Details
Funeral services will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 3:00 pm with Pastor Allison Johnson officiating. Viewing will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Private burial will take place next to John’s parents in Graceland Cemetery.
Memorial Suggestions
In memory of John, memorials have been suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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Racine – John Stephen Kowbel, age 68, passed away peacefully at Ascension All Saints Hospital on Thursday afternoon, September 19, 2024.
John was born in Racine on April 24, 1956 to the late Stanley and Dorothy (nee: Kramer) Kowbel. He was educated in Racine area schools and was a 1976 graduate of Washington Park High School. In 1981, he received an associate degree in sales & marketing from Gateway Technical College.
John was an active member of the former Emmanuel Lutheran Church until the church consolidated and is now known as Journey in Faith Church. He was employed by the Pathologists Laboratories of Racine 1986-1993, Hardee’s Restaurants of Racine 1993-2002, and the former Emmanuel Lutheran Church 1984-2017.
John enjoyed crossword puzzles, genealogy, cooking and his many trips to Chicago. He was a member of Wheaton Franciscan Partners in Caring / All Saints Auxiliary 1984-2015 where he had logged in over 2000 volunteer hours. He shared his gift of voice with the Racine Chorale 1991-1999.
Surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, David and Dorothyann Kowbel; niece, Katherine Kowbel; nephew, Michael Kowbel (Rachael); great niece and nephew Lucy and Caleb; special aunt, Mrs. Charlotte Wieczorek-Bley, numerous cousins as well as close friends, Mark & Lydia Bollendorf and Gary & Suzette Krause.
Funeral services will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 3:00 pm with Pastor Allison Johnson officiating. Viewing will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Private burial will take place next to John’s parents in Graceland Cemetery. In memory of John, memorials have been suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The family would like to extend a deep and sincere thank you to the Intensive Care Unit and Hospice staff at Ascension for the care given to John during his time of illness.
Jane Brosseau says
John will be missed tremendously, so many hours were shared with him at Wilson’s Coffee and Tea. His courage and ability to accept and surmount physical challenges was…phenomenal.
He had such a wonderful sense of direction and ability to remember every business that was in Racine, and dazzled us with his knowledge about his beloved city!
I will never forget how he often playfully asked for food with frosting..lol! Rest in peace, John. Your memory will always be for a blessing.
Jeff & Judy (Kramer) Polkky says
We are very sorry to hear about John’s passing. Our deepest condolances to Dave and Dotty and their entire family.
Jim and John Thoennes says
We have known John since high school and have always enjoyed running into him and chatting. A good guy that will be missed.
God’s peace John.
Michael Bohm says
Frequently ran into John at Wilson’s coffee when I was in town. First met him in a Urban History class with Larry Larson at Park.
Cindy Madson says
I met John at Wilson’s Coffee and Tea and as many others did enjoyed visiting together. He demonstrated such courage and grace with this physical limitations. He made it a point to ask about our lives and was so engaged in the community. He was a very special person who will be missed. Rest easy John. Your memory will always be a blessing.
Ray & Joy Treu says
Dave, Dottie and Family. We are very sorry to read of John’s passing. He was a wonderful guy and I know he will be dearly missed.
Don Ricchio says
My dad and I owned a Lawncare service and met John at Hardee’s. We had tons of laughs! John and I still had lots of laughs with some inside jokes until recent times. Now he and my dad are laughing together. His nickname for my dad was the “hippie”. Great guy!
Mark Bollendorf says
John will be missed! I went out for breakfast with John many of times. It always amazed me how he almost always knew someone while we were out. I always told him he should be the ambassador for Racine. He was my best friend. Rest in peace.
Bill Henderson says
Always enjoyed running into John from time to time in Racine. I remember he played Father Christmas in our Gilbert Knapp School 6th grade play…The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Rosanne (Kottal) Repinski says
John was a ray of sunshine at Emmanuel Lutheran Curch. Always enjoyed conversation with him and his smile.
Rest in peace friend, until we meet again.