Former long time village manager and resident of Whitefish Bay died on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at the age of 94. John led an eventful life, a witness to and participant in the historical events of the last century, dedicated to his family and work. John was born on the southside of Milwaukee in 1915, the son of Rose (nee Kluth) and Michael Katzban, who was elected as a Social Democrat state assemblyman in 1911. John attended Windlake Avenue grammar school and Bay View High. During the great depression, he attended Marquette University, graduating in 1937 with a degree in engineering. John worked as an engineer for Milwaukee County until called up for service in WWII. Marrying his neighborhood sweetheart, Mildred (nee Petroske) in 1939, the two raised two sons, John M., Jr. and Jeffrey, and a daughter JoAnn. John proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a Lt., during WWII and Korea, including assignment on one of the first supply ships to land in Nagasaki, Japan after the atomic bombing. In 1946, he became the Assistant Village Manager of Whitefish Bay and assumed the Manager position in 1956 until his retirement in 1981. A past president of the Wisconsin City Managers Association, member of the International City Managers Association and 50 year member of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Public Works Association, he served on many government commissions, including the North Shore Water commission and the cable television commission. John was a long time member of St. Monica Catholic Church, having served on several parish committees. John’s wife Mildred, predeceased him in 1996. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, John (Susan) Katzban of Grafton, Jeffrey (Patti) Katzban of Fox Point; his daughter and son-in-law JoAnn (Bill Beren) Katzban of Montclair, NJ; his grandchildren, Michael, Kate, Christopher, Nicholas, Cory and Trevor and many loving relatives and friends. The family will receive friends at ST. MONICA CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5601 N. Santa Monica Blvd. in Whitefish Bay on Monday, June 28 from 9:00 AM until 9:45 AM with the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10:00 AM. Entombment will be private at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials in John’s name may be directed to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, 830 N. 19th St., Milwaukee, WI 53233.
Monday, June 28, 2010
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
St. Monica Catholic Church
5601 North Santa Monica Boulevard
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 964-3040
Monday, June 28, 2010
10:00 AM
St. Monica Catholic Church
5601 North Santa Monica Boulevard
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 964-3040