LeRoy "John" (Sapatis) Neconish 89, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2023 with his wife at his side. He began his journey to the spirit world after a four year battle with advanced lung cancer that had spread throughout his bones.

John was born in Keshena to Peshackque (Freeman) Neconish and Madeleine Hanks Neconish on February 18, 1934. He was an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and grew up on the Menominee Reservation, spending his earliest years on the Neconish Settlement. Much to his surprise, It wasn't until he was 87 years old that he learned neither the Tribe nor the state of Wisconsin had any record of his birth.

He lived a storied life, living in Milwaukee, Chicago, and for a short time in the Twin Cities. When younger he frequently rode the freights and spent many a night in other locations. However In his heart, the Menominee Reservation was home and he eventually returned to stay. He married his first wife, Darlene Sommers and for forty years they primarily built their lives between the Oneida and Menominee Reservations.

Above all, John was a traditional and very spiritual man. He regularly ran sweat lodges and when he wasn't running them, he was participating in them elsewhere. He occasionally participated in the Sun Dance, the Native American Church, and other ceremonies. In his later years he was respected and recognized as a spiritual leader and elder and was often turned to for advice or counseling.

He was most proud of taking his last drink in 1962 and having more than 60 years of sobriety. It was not easy but it was only then that he began healing and stopped being so angry and hateful towards others and himself. It was a daily struggle, but it gave him a solid foundation to provide compassionate help and to mentor so many others struggling with addictions.

For a time John worked as a youth worker with the Oneida Recreation Department but primarily worked in counseling, carpentry and building construction, He was a craftsman and loved working with his hands. He dabbled with sketching and wood carving, and also did woodworking. In his last decade of life he crafted some beautiful pieces that will treasured for many years to come. Try as he might though, he had no patience for beadwork.

He made the absolute best hull corn and enjoyed parking off the side of the road selling his corn. It was there that he talked about solving the world's problems or shared a few jokes with anyone who stopped to visit. He lived a simple life, was fiercely independent, and more than anything hated to be told what to do. He was a hardworking man who preferred to work alone, Though few got to see it early on, he had a huge heart of gold.

There was rarely a chance that he wouldn't pass up to share a good joke or story. He was a one time ostrich racer. He didn't win the race but learned the trick to riding and controlling the ostrich was in which side of the bird's head he placed the the broom to direct it. He loved horses (or horkies) as he called them and often joked about breaking broncos when he was a young buck out on the range.

He loved the Packers, watching and reading westerns, watching boxing and talking about when he boxed. He enjoyed playing the slots and especially playing bingo. John absolutely loved spending time in the Menominee forest, driving down the logging roads in his old pickup Red, and chopping wood with his special and favorite cousin Chuck. He liked camping and took every opportunity to be out in the great outdoors

Although he grew to be an incredibly smart man, as a youth he hated school and skipped whenever he got the chance. It pained him deeply that for a time he spoke more Latin than he could his native tongue of Menominee. John loved traveling and learning about the lives and cultures of people elsewhere. Spending a week and a half each in both Hawaii and Alaska were experiences he cherished and talked about until his last days.

John is survived by his wife Susan, brother in law Michael, and Charlie and Poncho, whom he affectionately called his two little buddies. He is also survived by his sister Virginia "Rose"Waupoose, a special cousin Joan Lord, a special niece Annette (Horse) Kohel, and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He also leaves behind his most beloved Wausau sweat hogs and gives a special and heartfelt maec waewaenen to Beth Bye, Kat Borkenhagen, Glenn Scott, Jean Abreu, Ani Adams, and John and Tracy Springer. He asks them to keep the fire burning and to keep singing the John Neconish song. With the heavy hearts of many, he will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Edwina (Winnie) Rose Waubanascum, his first wife Darlene, brothers Melvin, Carl, Dan, Albert, Louis, Joe, and Ronnie, sisters Mary Ann, Jenny, Marie, Madeline, and Merceline, his favorite and much loved dog Bear (Awaesaeh) and numerous other friends and relatives.

Arrangements are being handled by Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel Funeral Home and Crematory of Appleton. A memorial and celebration of John's life will be held on October 8, 2023 at 1 pm at St Michael's Community Center in Keshena with a meal to follow.