John C. Orlowski Sr.

John “Jack” Charles Orlowski Sr., 87, passed peacefully on June 27, 2021, in Green Bay.

Jack was born on March 10, 1934, in Racine to Stan and Mae Orlowski. Jack married his soulmate and best friend, Joan Meekma, on Aug. 8, 1953, and they were blessed with eight children.

Jack had his own business in enamel painting in Racine and then moved to Lombard, Illinois, where he managed Kote Rite and then was plant manager of Sun Chemical in Northlake, Illinois. Jack lived life large and was known for his love of his family, the Green Bay Packers, and fishing. He was also well known for his storytelling and his grand adventures including fishing in Canada, tailgating, playing cribbage, an occasional “Jack” and hundreds of other escapades. He loved to gather family friends, colleagues, and neighbors at his homes in Lombard, Illinois, and Keshena.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Stan and Mae Orlowski, and in-laws, Harry and Ann Meekma, as well as his beloved son, James.

Jack is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joan; his children; John C. Orlowski Jr., Dr. Janis (Bill McNulty) Orlowski, Dana Orlowski, Jeff (Barb Nelson) Orlowski, Juliann (Brett Theissing) Giannini, Jeanne (Dr. Tom) Smith, Judith (Tony) Wrenn and Joseph Orlowski; grandchildren, Connor (Alison Burke) McNulty, Chase (Devin) Orlowski, Jason, Jessica, and Jeremy Douglas, Nicholas (Katie) Giannini, Ashley (Ryan) Prickette, Amanda (Bryan) Olesiak, Lauren (Mike) Rose, Samantha (Charles) Ging, Natalie (Eric Johnson) Smith, Rebecca (Paul Costagli) Smith, Madeline (John) Russo, Michael (Mayra) Smith-Coronado, Tyler (Inna) Wrenn and Haley (Stan Bukowski) Wrenn.

He is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren with two more expected soon; his sister, Sally (Don) Reiter; sister-in-law, Judith Adamson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and those friends he collected throughout his long life.

The family wishes to thank St. Vincent Hospital staff and the staff at Woodside Lutheran Home, especially the Mulberry team.

A Mass of celebration will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Keshena on Aug. 7, 2021, at 11 a.m. followed by a reception in Barrett’s Hall.

The family requests in lieu of flowers a donation to the John C. Orlowski Sr. Memorial Fund at 57 E. Delaware Place #4101, Chicago, IL 60611.

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos may be shared with Jack’s family on his tribute page at www.lyndahl.com.