Racine- John Holman Wolcott, 69, found peace at the Becker-Shoop Center in Racine on Sunday, April 20, 2008.

John was born on January 25, 1939 in Woodston, Kansas to the late Rev. Homer and Muriel (nee: Warnken) Wolcott. He received his education from schools in the Wichita and Parsons, Kansas area.

On August 31, 1957 at Angola Methodist Church in Angola, KS, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Sheila J. Beeson. They moved to Kenosha in 1962. Following, they lived in Bristol before coming to Racine in 1989.

John was chief mechanical engineer at Eaton Dynamatic for over 33 years. His deteriorating health forced him to retire in 1995. John was a brilliant man with an inventive mind. He held eleven inventions and patents with Eaton Corp. and was a proud member of the Fellowship of Patent Holders. John was a tremendously skilled "do-it-yourselfer". He was a fan of all sports; enjoyed bowling, playing guitar and singing as a duet with the "Country Cousins", and fishing at his cottage in Rosholt. Above all, John had an inspiring sense of humor and loved being in the surroundings of his entire family.

Surviving are his loving wife, Sheila of Racine; their children, Tammy R. Wolcott of Racine; Timothy R. (Lisa) Wolcott of Kenosha; and Janet F. (Ken) Soens of East Troy; grandchildren, Seamus and Caimen Masterson; Sam, Aslyn and Ava Wolcott; Zachary and Willie Pitej; Ross and Grace Soens; sisters, Pearl Purdy of Gridley, KS; Lela (Joe) Gleason of Toronto, KS; and Bernice (Jerry) Hanes of Bluejacket, OK; brother, Bill Wolcott of Emporia, KS; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in South Bristol Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 5-7 pm and on Sunday from 12 noon – 1 pm. Per John's request, an exploratory autopsy was performed upon his death to determine the exact form of dementia that he has so courageously struggled with for over 9 years. Thus, memorials have been suggested to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.

A heartfelt note of thanks to our faithful friend, Dr. Bonnie Wirfs, for the years of dedicated care and concern; and to the staff of Becker-Shoop Center for the compassionate care and understanding during John's battle. God bless all of you!