John L. "Mitch" Mitcheltree

Of Mukwonago, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on June 12, 2026 at the age of 82.

Mitch is survived by his loving and devoted wife Sue Mitcheltree of 40 years.  Loving father of Dennis Mitcheltree, Denise Mitcheltree, step-children Rick (Ruth) Busalacchi, Jim (Sara) Busalacchi, Debbie (Jason) Graham, and Mark (Lauren) Busalacchi; 18 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  He is further survived by his sister-in-law Rosanne Conard, other relatives and friends.  Mitch was preceded by his parents Louis and Charlotte, a brother Greg Conard, and a granddaughter Brooklyn.

Mitch lived a well-balanced life driven by an unwavering devotion to his faith, endless love for his family, and a huge heart that led him to help others. He also possessed a beautifully stubborn refusal to ever take himself too seriously.

He lived his life fully up until November 2009 when he fell from a ladder and sustained a severe traumatic brain injury.  At the time, we were not sure if he would survive, but after almost a year long rest and recovery period, his resilient spirit prevailed and he eventually returned home.  But it changed his life and the lives of those around him forever, especially his loving wife, Sue, who was his primary caretaker for all those years.  She cared for him with so much love and compassion, and we are forever grateful to her for being there for him every moment of every day. Despite facing immense daily challenges and physical limitations, Mitch never lost his true essence, and found a reason to smile every single day.  He was still the sweet, loving, silly man we all knew and loved.

In his early years, Mitch worked as a carpenter. He took immense pride in his craftsmanship, often bringing his skills home to improve his family’s life while constantly helping friends with their own projects as long as he could. Later, he was lucky enough to turn his passion for tennis into a career, working as a tennis club manager. Eventually, his professional path led him to car dealership sales management. In this role, he built lasting relationships with coworkers and customers alike through his easygoing approach, integrity, and trustworthy personality.

As hard as he worked, Mitch truly lived to love. He poured his whole heart into his family and friends, offering a quiet, steady kindness that made everyone around him feel safe and valued. He was always the first to offer a helping hand, yet the absolute last to seek recognition. This selfless nature never wavered, even after his accident. He found his greatest joy in visits from family, especially the little ones; he adored babies, children, and of course, his beloved dogs. Though his accident changed his world entirely, these moments brought him immense happiness, proving that his heart remained larger than life itself.

When he wasn’t working or volunteering, Mitch kept life light with his wonderfully silly sense of humor. Whether sharing funny phrases, wearing goofy props, or just plain being silly, he did whatever it took to get a laugh and make the people around him smile.

Mitch was a passionate sports fan who cheered for the Milwaukee Brewers, the Green Bay Packers, and every other local team that he could follow and cheer on.  Before his accident, he was an avid golfer and tennis player; afterward, he kept that passion alive by watching the pros compete on television. His dedication extended deeply into his community as a member of the Brooklife Church launch team, where he faithfully served every Sunday as a parking lot attendant, rain or shine.  He was a really good man.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at the Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home (930 Main St. Mukwonago) from 4:00 PM until the time of the Memorial Service at 6:00 PM.