John Joseph Najbar

John Joseph Najbar was born June 17, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, and born to eternal life on April 22, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. John was the son of Joseph E. Najbar, Sr, and Dolores Alvina (Smith) Najbar. John is survived by siblings Anne Dolores Roat (Bill) of Lafayette, Indiana; Joan Marie Najbar of Osseo, Minnesota; Patricia Jean (Rich) Martin of Lombard, Illinois; Thomas Gerard Najbar of Chandler, Arizona; and, Ronald James Najbar of Chicago, Illinois. Best friends Mike and Gerise Weidner of Mequon, Wisconsin. Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by brothers Joseph Edward (Leslie) Najbar, Jr.; and Michael Smith Najbar. John is also survived by nephew Christopher Michael (Sue) Roat of Los Altos, California; niece Dori Beth (Kevin) Barthauer of Noblesville, Indiana; nephew Samuel Eugene (Tiffany) Eininger of Minneapolis, Minnesota; nephew John Michael (Ashley) Eininger of Duluth, Minnesota; and niece Kathleen Patricia Martin of Atlanta, Georgia. John was preceded in death by nephew Jeremey Paul Najbar. John was also survived by great nephews and great nieces Leia Wang Roat, Michael Roy Barthauer, Thomas William Barthauer, Matthew Christopher Barthauer, Benjamin Lloyd Barthauer, Joseph Samuel Barthauer, Wes Eininger, Miles Eininger, Ruby Eininger, Jac Eininger, Beck Eininger, Eva Eininger, and Ellie Eininger.

John attended St. Symphorosa Catholic School in Chicago and then graduated from Chicago’s Kennedy High School in 1970. A highlight of his academic career was when his astronomy project won first place in his high school fair and was given an Outstanding Award at the Chicago city-wide science fair, which qualified him for the national science fair. John always enjoyed the outdoors and worked as a naturalist for Chicago Public Schools after graduation. He loved that the schoolchildren called him “Father Nature”. John moved to Ely, Minnesota, to start pursuing a degree in environmental education.

John’s faith was very important to him, and he loved reading the Bible, discussing his faith, and watching Christian television. After John moved to Milwaukee in the late 1980’s, for many years John was a faithful member of Church in the City on the east side near Lake Michigan.
John was friendly and very social. He was very willing to help others, and was very reflective on his life. He was proud to be part of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. “Progress not perfection” was a frequent statement and a credo by which he tried to live.

Memorial service was held for John J. Najbar on May 18, 2024, at Church in the City, 2648 North
Hackett Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, and simultaneously online. Please click on the tribute video to watch.