John Francis Dwonch

John Francis Dwonch passed away on March 12, 2026, leaving behind a life defined by curiosity, service, humor, and an unwavering devotion to family. Born on Sept. 22, 1940, in Hoboken, New Jersey, John was the eldest of nine children born to John Francis and Theresa (DePinto) Dwonch.

John met the love of his life, Yvonne (Smith) Dwonch, daughter of Lloyd and Jeanette (Vertz) Smith, while stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Base in Illinois. Together they built a life grounded in partnership, laughter, and shared adventure. He was a proud and devoted father to Michelle (Dwonch) Anschuetz of Grayling, Michigan, and Yvette Dwonch-Esparza of Oak Harbor, Washington, and a beloved grandfather to six grandchildren and step-grandchildren, who brought him immense joy.

John served his country with distinction in the United States Navy from 1958 through his retirement in 2001, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer before being commissioned and ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant. His military career took him across the globe, including Japan, Mexico, Germany, France, Korea, Guam, and Spain—fueling a lifelong appreciation for travel, culture, and history.

In parallel with his military service, John built a remarkable civilian career as an electrical engineer & executive with Zenith Electronics, where he worked from 1961 to 2001. After retiring, his drive and passion for learning never slowed. He began a second career as a building inspector throughout Door County, and at the age of 79, founded Northbay Inspections LLC—an embodiment of his relentless energy and entrepreneurial spirit.

John lived a full and vibrant life, spending many years in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and Baileys Harbor, with winters on St. George Island, Florida. He was deeply involved in his community, serving on the Liberty Grove board and volunteering with local arts organizations including Northern Sky Theater, Peninsula Players, Third Avenue PlayWorks, Door Shakespeare, and the Door County Auditorium.

He was well known for his boundless knowledge—whether in construction, electronics, history, technology, geography, or space—and for being the person everyone called when they needed an answer. To many, he was the ultimate “phone-a-friend.” His quick wit and sense of humor made him unforgettable; John had a gift for making people laugh and feel at ease.

An avid outdoorsman, he cherished hunting and fishing trips with his grandchildren. He loved all sports, especially golf and football, and was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears. As president of the Maxwelton Braes Golf League, he spent many years in pursuit of the perfect swing—and the perfect club.

John is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Lawrence, Nicholas, Joseph, and Patricia. He is survived by his brothers Richard, Michael, and Thomas, and his sister Deborah, along with many extended family members and friends.

Above all, John was most proud of his family, his work, and the life he built on his own terms. He approached life with curiosity, independence, and a refusal to follow the expected path. He inspired those around him—especially his children and grandchildren—to dream bigger, think differently, and pursue their passions.

John would want to be remembered simply: he loved life, he loved to learn, he loved to laugh—and he did it his way.

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services LLC in Sister Bay is assisting the Dwonch family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of John may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.CaspersonFuneralHome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Francis Dwonch, please visit our floral store.