• Christian Burial Service: 11 am on April 22, 2025, at SAINT JOHN’S ON THE LAKE (1800 N. Prospect Ave, Milwaukee).

John C. Armbruster

Entered into eternal life on April 16, 2025, at the age of ninety-three. He was born in Bay View, Wisconsin to Norman and Leota Armbruster. John graduated from Shorewood High School and Lake Forest College. He served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. Following his military service, he returned to Milwaukee and spent summers on Pewaukee Lake where he met his spouse, Mary Cobeen. They were married for 59 years before she preceded him in death. Together they had four children who will miss him dearly: Lynn Bryan (Dan McIntosh) Kathy Armbruster, Janet Janisse, and Michael (Debbie) Armbruster. John was blessed with grandchildren Andrew (Mary) Bryan, Abigail (Alec) Bronston, Aubrey (Kevin) Hulsebosch, Christopher (Laurel) Janisse, Carly (Christopher) Plumb, Samuel Bryan (Christina Smok), Alex Janisse, Max Bryan and Matthew Janisse, and great grandchildren James, Rory, John, Daniel, and Reese.

John was a man of the water. He loved sailing on Pewaukee Lake, Lake Michigan, and the Ocean. FDR’s statement “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” was not lost on John, his “First Mate” Mary, or the crews of friends and family who were along for some turbulent rides. He also had roots in the land and turned a childhood love of farming into a fulltime hobby when he was in his forties. John loved travel and photography. He loved serving in his communities of Franklin, Door County, and Saint John’s on the Lake. He loved good wine. He hated asparagus, painting, and being late.

John recognized how fortunate he was to have many lifelong friends and close family. He is survived by his dear sister, Mary (John) O’Malley, sister- in-law Helen (John) Kabara and wonderful nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his spouse, Mary, sisters in law and brothers in law Patricia and George Adlam, and Charles and Miyako Cobeen.

A Christian Burial Service is planned for 11 a.m. on April 22, 2025, at SAINT JOHN’S ON THE LAKE (1800 N. Prospect Ave, Milwaukee).

If desired, memorials may be made to Saint John’s on the Lake Employee Scholarship Fund. John’s family would like to thank Saint John’s care givers for their loving attention to him in his final weeks of life.