Jeffrey E. “JJ” Johnson, 73, of Sheboygan, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Aurora Medical Center in Sheboygan. Born on September 25, 1952, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to the late Ellie and Billie Johnson, JJ was known for his quick wit, generous spirit, and heart of gold. He loved music, Wisconsin sports, cribbage, history documentaries, motorcycles, woodworking, and spending time with the people he loved.
JJ graduated from Sheboygan South High School in 1971 and married the love of his life, Kendra Klunk, on August 18, 1973, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. For more than 52 years, they built a life filled with laughter, traditions, adventures, and family memories. Kendra was not only his wife, but also his best friend and favorite person to share life with.
For more than 40 years, JJ proudly served the Sheboygan community as the owner and operator of Wisconsin Shores Financial Services. The relationships he built with clients often became friendships, and he genuinely cared about the people he served. JJ was a longtime member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Elks Lodge #299. Whether attending an event, sharing a story, or catching up with friends, he valued the relationships and sense of community both organizations provided.
While JJ enjoyed many hobbies, family was always his greatest joy. Stacy and Spencer spent years playfully debating who was Dad’s favorite. The truth, of course, was that neither ever won the argument. JJ had a special way of making everyone in his family feel loved, valued, and important.
Nothing reflected his generous heart more than Christmas. For JJ, Christmas wasn’t just a holiday—it was an event months in the making. Months of planning went into finding the perfect gifts for family and friends. By Christmas Eve, the living room floor would be covered with presents waiting to be opened. Gift opening often stretched for hours as each present was opened one at a time, stories were shared, and every gift received the attention JJ believed it deserved. He found as much joy in giving as others found in receiving, and those Christmas Eve celebrations became one of the family’s most treasured traditions.
JJ also loved spending time in Eagle River and Rhinelander, where family vacations, campfires, card games, and time on the water created memories that will be cherished for generations. Sunday mornings often meant cocktails with his closest friends, plenty of stories, and good-natured complaining about politics, sports, and whatever else was making headlines. Nobody ever solved the world’s problems, but the friendship, laughter, and tradition of being together kept everyone coming back the next week.
He also inherited his mother’s sweet tooth. Many evenings ended with a bowl of candy brought to bed, and his nieces and nephews affectionately nicknamed him “The Candy Man.” He never met a piece of candy—or a bowl of ice cream—that he didn’t like.
Family members will also fondly remember JJ’s ongoing battle with television remotes and what he called “the flicker.” No matter how many times someone showed him which button to press, he always seemed to need a little help getting to the channel he wanted. It became one of those running family jokes that everyone enjoyed and usually led to plenty of laughter whenever someone came to his rescue. Above all else, JJ loved being a husband, father, and Grandpa. His grandchildren—Jack, Cooper, Ellie, Melanie, and Joshua—brought him endless pride and happiness, and some of his favorite moments were simply spent being together.
JJ is survived by his beloved wife, Kendra, of Sheboygan; his children, Spencer (Kat) Johnson and Stacy (Chris) Javorek, both of Germantown; his grandchildren, Jack, Cooper, Ellie, Melanie, and Joshua; his brothers, Gregg (Jan) Johnson of Indiana and Kevin Johnson of West Bend; his sisters-in-law, Susan (Jerry) Reineking of Appleton and Christine Baier of Cleveland; his brothers-in-law, Tim (Chris) Klunk of Appleton and John Voss of Virginia; his mother-in-law, Lois Klunk of Appleton; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, dear friends, and former clients. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellie and Billie Johnson; his father-in-law, Richard Klunk; his sister, Erin Voss; and two of his closest friends, Harlan Case and Chuck Baier.
Those who knew JJ will remember the music playing in the background, the bowl of candy always nearby, the Christmas gifts covering the living room floor, the Sunday morning cocktails with friends, and the familiar call for help with “the flicker.” They’ll remember the Candy Man, always ready with a sweet treat. They’ll remember the cribbage games, the stories, the laughter, and the way he could make an ordinary day feel special simply by bringing everyone together.
Most of all, they’ll remember a man with a heart of gold who loved his family deeply. A devoted husband to Kendra, a proud dad to Stacy and Spencer, and an incredibly proud Grandpa to Jack, Cooper, Ellie, Melanie, and Joshua. His happiest moments were never about where he was or what he was doing—they were about who he was with.
While we’ll miss hearing his stories, sharing a cocktail, helping him find the right channel, or watching him hand out one more piece of candy, we’re grateful for the memories he gave us and the traditions he created.
The Christmas Eve gifts have been opened, the cribbage cards have been put away, and the conversations have come to an end, but the love, laughter, and memories JJ leaves behind will stay with us forever.
A funeral service for Jeff will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 917 Mead Avenue, Sheboygan, with Rev. James Schulz officiating. Family and friends may gather at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place at Lutheran Cemetery.
The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
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