John Hyland Jr.

John Cyril Hyland, Jr., age 90, was called to his Heavenly Home on August 10, 2018 with his family by his side.  He was born in Neenah, Wisconsin on January 6, 1928, and grew up in Menasha, was a longtime resident of Sturgeon Bay, and spent his retirement and final years in Appleton.

John graduated from the Campion Acadamy in Prairie du Chien in 1946 and then was hired as Commandant (Athletic Director and Coach) at the Hall of Divine Child Military Academy in Monroe, Michigan for 6 years.  He went on to serve his county in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Puerto Rico during the Korean War.  Following his discharge from the military, John attended U.W. La Crosse where he met his wife Patricia (Sala) who he joined in holy matrimony on July 8, 1958.

John had many occupations throughout the years including owner of John’s Beverage Mart in LaCrosse, sales for National Guardian Life Insurance, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Menominee and then CEO of the Door County Chamber of Commerce.  He was elected as the President of the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives, traveling to many conventions around the country including San Francisco, San Antonio, Hartford, etc…

John was active in many organizations including the Rotary Club, Toastmasters, Lion’s Club, and even served as a Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus.  He was a faithful member of St. Joseph Parish Sturgeon Bay, St. Bernard Parish Green Bay and Sacred Heart Parish Appleton.  He has served over the years as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and organizer of church picnics.  During retirement John became a prolific writer of letters to the editor and even authored a book.  He loved politics and served on the editorial board for presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson.

Being and avid sports fan, John enjoyed following Wisconsin sports as well as the PGA.  During his final months, the Brewers 2018 summer season was of particular comfort along with plenty of ice cream and the love of family and friends who visited and spent time with him.

John is survived by his devoted wife Patricia (Sala) Hyland, three children, Timothy (Natalie) Hyland, Scottsdale, Christine (Greg) Wert, Appleton, and Susan (Robert) Pretasky, La Crosse.  He is further survived by his six grandchildren:  John Phillip Hyland, Austin, TX, Amanda (Bryan) McConnell, Cudahy, WI, Brooke Wert, Appleton, Eric Wert, Appleton, RJ Pretasky, Onalaska, WI, and Andrew Pretasky, Whitewater, WI.

John was preceded in death by his parents J. Cyril and Neita (Benjamin) Hyland, his in-laws Frank and Helen Sala as well as his beloved daughter Janet Marie Hyland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon on Monday, August 20th, at Sacred Heart Parish, 222 E. Fremont St., Appleton.  Family and friends are invited to gather at the Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel on Sunday evening at 6 pm for a visitation and brief prayer service at 7 pm, and also at 11 am on Monday at the church in the Sacred Heart Room until the time of Mass.  Committal service with military honors will take place on Tuesday, August 21st at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in Sturgeon Bay at 1:30 pm.   Friends may visit with the family at the mausoleum chapel on Tuesday from 1:00 pm until the time of service.  Forbes Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.