John Daniel Hintz

THE FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE LIVESTREAMED STARTING 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE 12:00 PM FUNERAL SERVICE (11:55 AM) ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2023 AT https://gcchome.online.church/

John Daniel Hintz, 78, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 13, 2023, with his family by his side. He was born on July 23, 1944, in Hatley, WI, to the late John Stanley and Bernice (Schultz) Hintz. 

John is survived by his loving son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Jodi Hintz; stepchildren, Lisa, Jenni, Bryan and Erik; six grandchildren, Rebecca Hintz, Rev. Stacie Hintz, Megan Hintz, Andrea Hintz, Joshua Hintz, and Faith Hintz; siblings, Patronella “Petie” Stroik, Sylvester “Sal” (Patricia) Hintz, Delphine Wrycza, Dan (Shirley) Hintz, Helen “Loni” (Bill) Mullozzi; sisters-in-law, Kathy Hintz and Elizabeth Hintz. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his son, Phyllis Jean Hintz; his second wife, Carolyn “Debbie” Hintz; and his third wife, Barbara J. Hintz; his siblings, Phyllis Hintz, Bernice “Junie” Hintz, Susan “Susie” Hintz, Lucille Gavinski, Stanley Hintz, and Jacob “Jack” Hintz; brothers-in-law, Raymond Stroik, Joe Gavinski, and Robert Wrycza.

John was a Marine (always a Marine) and he put up a really good fight, but in the end cancer got the best of him. However, he is victorious because you can’t keep a good man down, and he is now pain, cancer, and suffering free for eternity. His life motto, which he instilled in his son, was “Where there’s a will, there’s a way!” His life exemplified that motto.

He was born in 1944 and raised on a farm, one of 12 brothers and sisters, in central Wisconsin. Upon adulthood, he went off to Milwaukee and worked at Briggs and Stratton small engine factory and was a Milwaukee Braves (not Brewers) bleacher bum during his lunch hours. Shortly after that he enlisted, like several of his brothers (and countless nieces and nephews) into the Marines, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant and is a Vietnam Veteran. He met the love of his life, Phyllis Fraatz and married her in 1966, three years later, Philip came along. Philip says, “I was probably a bit much to handle, so I was their only child…”

After the Marines, he went to work with his father-in-law, Philip Fraatz, as an Electrical Supply sales person for Drake and then Interstate Electric. While working that job, he went to school to become a Master Journeyman electrician. He then went into the Electrical Contracting business which was his career for over 50 years. He taught his son to be an electrician beginning when he was in 8th grade where he would pay him $1.00 per hour, the trade that brought him so much joy and challenge and success in his life. He not only was a Master Electrician, but he was a Master Teacher as well, and over the years he taught countless men and women to become electricians for themselves, including many cousins and even his own baby sister, Loni.

He was second to none, but not only did he have a passion for the electrical and construction trades in general, his second passion was for serving others. He was a Mason in the Masonic temple and a Shriner becoming president of the Kenosha Shrine Club. He was also a Rotarian in the Kenosha Rotary. He was also a member of the Gurnee American Legion Post 771 and a fervent supporter of all men and women who served their country in the military. He also served in whatever capacity he was needed in the Churches he attended, eventually calling Gurnee Community Church his Church home. There he not only attended and helped lead the Man to Man Bible Study, but he also served many years on the Walk To Emmaus spiritual retreat teams, which led countless people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. He also orchestrated the massive feeding efforts of Deep Frying 30+ Turkeys each year serving over 200 naval recruits Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving each year at Gurnee Community Church and was a leader in making sure that took place every year to serve and to give back to our active men and women in the military.

John was an avid golfer, bowler, and fisherman. He taught his son each of these sports in his younger years. In his older years, he loved to go on family fishing trips with his brothers and nephews to upper Canada and eventually to Lake Erie out of Catawba, Ohio.  He loved these trips so much, he made it his mission to get the brothers, nephews, son, and grandson, to spend the week after Father’s Day each year for a Walleye fishing trip to Lake Erie.  These were men-only trips, that included more food than a person should be allowed to eat, and of course poker each night. And although he was too ill to attend this year, this trip will be one of many legacies he leaves us with for the next generation to continue and carry on.

To set the record straight, even though he was from Wisconsin, he was a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan and he was so ecstatic when he finally got to witness the miracle of the 2016 Cubs World Series Championship. John was always a fan and supporter of the underdog. 

He did so many things for so many people, always wanting to be in service to others. Even in his last two years living in his care facility, The Pavillion of Waukegan, he sought to make the place better for everyone that lived there by improving the lighting in places in the facility, keeping the patio clean and orderly, and starting a Tuesday morning Bible Study that he was so passionate about. His final project that he sought to complete before his death was building a beautiful plant and vegetable garden, including a beautiful bird bath and bird feeder with the help of Jodi, Philip, and his grandkids for all to enjoy.

There is so much more that could be said about John, and this just skims the surface of the good and faithful servant he was. He had many ups and downs in his life and he would be the first to tell you he was a sinner in need of a Savior. John never met a stranger, and if he saw you, you would be sure to get a hug and he would be sure to point you to Jesus Christ, his Savior.

We love and will miss you Dad, Grandpa, Uncle and Brother, may you rest in peace while you walk the streets of gold. Well-done, good and faithful servant.

A funeral service will take place at 12pm, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, with visitation from 10am-12pm, and the Marine Corps Funeral Honors ceremony at 1:15pm. All services will be held at Gurnee Community Church, 4555 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee with Pastor Chris Stephens and Pastor Brian Walter officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John’s name may be made to Gurnee Community Church (Worship, Arts and BIG Lakes), or Northern Illinois Emmaus, P.O. Box 24, Crystal Lake, IL 60012-0039 or online at NIL-EMMAUS.org. Arrangements entrusted to Sambrano Funeral & Cremation, Gurnee. Please sign the guestbook at LAURASAMBRANOFUNERALS.com; 847-571-7719.

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