John J. Ellenbecker, a lifelong resident of Sturgeon Bay, passed away on June 30, 2026, following a short illness.
He was born on December 12, 1937, in Sturgeon Bay to John and Mary (Bartl) Ellenbecker. A proud veteran, John served his country in the United States Army during the 1950s, stationed in Germany. He married his beloved wife, Judy Ellenbecker, in December 1963, together building a family and a life centered around faith, hard work, and the water.
John dedicated his professional life to his craft as a master carpenter, lending his exceptional skills to Christy Corporation, Bay Shipbuilding, and Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding where he dedicated over forty years. His craftsmanship extended far beyond the shipyards; he could build or fix anything around the house and skillfully renovated multiple family homes. He was always the first to offer a helping hand to his children with any project.
A quiet man by nature, John found his greatest joy in the time spent with his family and in his love for fishing and living by the water. He was a devout, practicing Catholic and a lifelong parishioner at St. Joseph’s Parish in Sturgeon Bay. Though he will be deeply missed by all who knew him, his family takes profound solace in knowing that he has been welcomed into Heaven by our Lord and Savior.
John is survived by his three sons: Michael (Karen) and their son Matthew; Joe (Lilly) and their daughters Katie, Hannah, and Emma; and Andrew (Jennifer) and their daughters Brooklyn, Madison, and Kendall; as well as his great grandson, Theodore. He also survived by his brother, Bernard Ellenbecker and numerous loving nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Ellenbecker; his beloved wife, Judy Ellenbecker; and his son, David Ellenbecker and his sister, Rosemary (Dick) Baumann and sister-in-law, Mary Jane “Jay” Ellenbecker.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the dedicated and caring staff at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Center for the comfort they provided John.
A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial celebrating John’s eternal life and Christ's resurrection will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 13, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Parish in Sturgeon Bay. Following the Mass, John will be laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery with military honors. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 10:00 am until the time of service. Forbes Funeral Home is serving the family.
