John Frank Gollwitzer

Mr. Gollwitzer was born on June 7, 1948, to Jack and Helen Gollwitzer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of four children and the only son. He grew up in Pewaukee Lake, Wisconsin and graduated from Waukesha High School in 1966. He was an active member of the swim team.

John enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. on February 17, 1967, and he was honorable discharged on February 16, 1971 with the rank of sergeant. In 1969, he was sent to Vietnam to serve his country and was there until 1970. He came home to Wisconsin for a short time and then moved to Bellflower, California where he became a long-haul truck driver.

In his later years, he moved to Texarkana, Texas and went to work for Truman Arnold Companies as a truck driver. During this time, he met the love of his life, Shelia. They married on June 14, 1987, and they were married until his passing.

He was a sweet and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. John enjoyed fishing for crappie at Kelly Creek, camping with the family, watching old westerns like Gunsmoke and the Wagon Train and was a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan. He never met a stranger, and his amazing personality, witty humor and infectious smile made him easy to get to know and love.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Mary Schaefer.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of thirty-five years, Shelia. His three loving daughters, Kristie Lewis and Brandy Thompson of Texarkana, Arkansas, Amy West of Texarkana, Texas; grand-children, Logan and Lindsey Lewis of Texarkana, Arkansas. Two sisters whom he adored, Katy Vehlow of Scottsdale, Arizona and Jackie Bartoli of Delafield, Wisconsin, along with six nieces and nephews and other extended family.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 2:00 pm at East Funeral Home Chapel Downtown with Robert Ward officiating. Visitation will be prior to the memorial service from 1:00 to 2:00, at the funeral home.

The family will receive family and friends at 4208 Pine Street, Texarkana Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Huntington’s Disease Society of America.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastfuneralhomes.com