John F. Blechl, age 59, of Oshkosh, went peacefully to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer.

John was born on February 17, 1952, in Oshkosh, the son of Gilbert and the late Emogene Blechl. He graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1970. A life-long lover and composer of music and poetry, he exhibited his natural ability at a young age, and his compositions will continue to be a source of communion and enjoyment. A fantastic and competitive gamer, he was easily persuaded into cards, dice, and video games. His wealth of knowledge, experience, and love for sports led him to coaching his sons' basketball teams with great success. A prankster and practical jokester, he will always be remembered by his friends and family as the "king of one-liners."

John is survived by his children: John of Annapolis, MD, Bryan (Brandy) of Bartow, WV, and Kelly of Edinburgh, Scotland; his grandson, Luke of Bartow, WV, his father Gilbert of Oshkosh, WI. His sisters: Susan (Tom) Dillie of Rowlett, TX, Janette (Greig) Fennell of Leawood, KS, Karen Blechl of Colorado Springs, CO, Terry (Bruce) Dittmer of Oceanside, CA, Linda (Donn) Bartelt of Oshkosh, WI, and Laura (Chris) Jacobsen of Golden, CO, his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and his "guardian angel" Sherry. John was preceded in death by his mother, Emogene and his grandparents.

Visitation will be held at St. Jude the Apostle (Sacred Heart Worship Site) 519 Knapp St., Oshkosh, WI, on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 from 3pm-5pm, and will be followed by a Memorial Service with Father William Van de Kreeke presiding. John will be laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

John's family would like to express their deepest and sincerest appreciation for the unparalleled and exemplary care provided by Dr. Zanders and the nursing staff of Mercy Medical Center's Intensive Care Unit.


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