John J. "The Botch" Bochte, 62, of Sheboygan, was welcomed into heaven by his Lord on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center following a courageous three year battle with lung cancer. Born September 15, 1953 in Sheboygan, John was a son of the late Joseph and Anna Jerale Bochte. He attended St. Clement Catholic School and graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1972. On December 13, 1980, he was united in marriage to the love of his life and best friend, Susan J. Mahnke, at St. Clement Catholic Church. John was a small engine mechanic at the Kohler Company for 43 years. He was a member of Remedy Church and the UAW Local 833. He was an avid sports and Packer fan, enjoyed fishing, hunting, Sci-Fi movies and playing cards. He loved to work around the yard and garage and was the kind of guy who could fix anything. He loved his "toys." He is survived by his wife, Sue; his sons, Matthew John, currently serving in the U.S. Navy and stationed in Port Hueneme, CA, and his wife, Tricia Bochte of Belleville, and Steven Alex (special friend Aly Viau) Bochte, Appleton; his three grandchildren, Anna Beth Bochte, Sun Prairie, Natalie Morgan, Belleville, and Ava Mae Louise Bochte, Appleton; his sisters and brother, Bernadette (John) Gromowski, Sun City, AZ, Dale (Nancy) Bochte, Hiles, WI, Lee Ann (Bob) Van Der Sande, Sheboygan Falls, Nancy "Fuzz" Hampson, Green Bay, and Mary Beth (Ron) Wilde, Green Bay; his godson, Jullian Matthews, Green Bay; his mother-in-law, Barbara Mahnke, Sheboygan; nieces and nephews, Max (Stephanie Jensen) Welsing, Port Washington, JoAnn (Jason) Meloy, Sheboygan, Joey (Linda) Winscher, Rancho Cordova, CA, Chrystal Hampson, Green Bay, and Abby (Alex) Baldschun, Chicago; special friends, Jackie & Dave Wassink, Sheboygan; cousins, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anna, his step-mother, Emma Bochte, his father-in-law, Jack Mahnke, and his niece, Sunshine Sommer. A Memorial Service will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at Hope Reformed Church, 612 Ontario Avenue. Pastor Bob Abel will officiate. Family and friends are welcome at the church on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund has been established in his name for the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society. The family would like to thank his "angels", especially Ann, Debbie and Sarah, Dr. Kumar of the VLCC and the staff at surgical services and 2K at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care and support. Every step of the way, John met each challenge with courage, optimism and dignity; never letting the cancer change his cheerful disposition. John found comfort in knowing his Lord. The day before he died, John said to Pastor Abel, "I figure, if I'm nice to people, they'll remember me." John - we will never forget you. You will live in our hearts forever.
