John A. Warren
John Andrew Warren, age 69, of Berlin, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Peabody Manor in Appleton.
He was born December 29, 1953, in Neenah, WI, the son of Richard and Clare Geiger Warren. John was a 1973 graduate of Berlin High School. During the stay on his earthly home, John attended the Art Institute of Chicago and received training as a CNA in Respiratory Therapy.
John always thought of ways to make others happy, either cooking some of his creative recipes, baking extravagant deserts, or playing his original preludes for Sunday morning church services for pastor Scott Peterson, John’s bible-teaching friend at Patriot Place. His life on earth was extended due to the fun activities consisting of playing cards, watching flicks, and “old men” walker racing he did with his four accomplices, William Brennan, Raymond Demers, Bill Herman and Ken Hoffman, who also helped to keep John’s spirits high, even on his down days. Cheers to aide, Amy, who always kept his room spotless!
John was given so many gifts of talents by our heavenly Father. He would compose original music that he heard in his head before playing a note. John was a self-taught exquisite chef who worked at Braun’s Family Restaurant in Ripon, before opening his dream business, Warren’s Family Restaurant, in Redgranite, which featured all home-made recipes.
He was a creative oil and water painter, whose pictures and paintings of Berlin were cherished by many. John also made unique pottery and was a spontaneous ad lib comic who made people laugh with his interpretations of words like “Taco Hell”, “Histerical Society”, “Booger King” and “Wally World”.
He is survived by his children, Christopher (Satomi) Warren and Adria (Natay) Warren; their mother, Coleen and John’s DJ friend, Sizzlin’ Sonny; two grandchildren, Hunter and Hazel Warren; two sisters, Carol (Bob) Nickolai and Mary (Donald) Drover; and nieces and nephews. John will be missed by many, especially Peabody’s Birch Cottage Margaritaville Quartet of beach-lovin’ buddies who wore matching tan, straw fedoras and colorful Hawaiian shirts. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark Warren.
John’s tearful request would be that he would be remembered. His wish will become a reality by donating many of his paintings to Berlin Public Library, publishing his musical compositions, and by his family designing a very special cemetery memorial with pictures. John’s final words to his social worker, Jen, and hospice RN, Lexi, described the true feelings he had about life, his family and friends, “I would like my family and friends to know how much I love and appreciate them. I wish for them a wonderful life!”
RIP “funny” John Warren and always play your original music for the heavenly angels and prepare a special feast for your Redeemer Jesus and friends you are meeting in heaven. God’s blessings, Sonny. PS thanks to all the unmentioned ThedaCare health workers who helped make John’s passing as painless as possible!
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday, September 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Memorial services will be held at 6:00 p.m., Scott Peterson officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Margaret Mary Cemetery in Neenah. Memorials may be directed to Berlin High School Scholarship Fund for a Culinary Arts student. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to John Warren, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.
Online condolences may be submitted and sent using the form below. You may also email condolences to the family through "barbolafc@yahoo.com". All condolences are private and sent only to the family.