John H. Ebert

John Helmer Ebert passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026, in Johnson Creek, one day after celebrating his 73rd birthday surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Milwaukee on October 18, 1953.

John grew up in Downers Grove, IL and later Naperville, IL, alongside two brothers, Mark and Jim, two sisters, Lynne and Jane, and parents, Bud & Sue. He attended Naperville Central High School, graduating in 1971, and went on to study business at Saint Mary’s in Winona, MN, graduating in 1975. He made lifelong friends at St. Mary’s, often calling those years some of the best of his life, and returned often for reunions.

John had a long and illustrious career in banking. It began in Chicago, where he met his future wife, Gladys, while riding the L to work. Gladys was impressed by the well-dressed man reading Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” on the train. John always maintained he had actually been reading a comic book strategically placed inside “The Jungle.” The two were married in 1981.

His career kept the family moving as he rose in the banking profession. The first stop was Wausau, where their daughter, Laura, and son, Robert, were born, followed by Marshfield. In 1992, John moved the family to Watertown and became president of M&I Bank, where he worked until his retirement in 2008.

John was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He enjoyed sailing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, golfing, tennis, badminton, racquetball, horseshoes, pickleball and even yardwork. And that’s just to name a few.

He spent countless hours at Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo from childhood onward. That tradition continued through life as the Ebert family hosted many reunions there and often visited the Circus World Museum. He also loved cheering on the Packers, Brewers, Bucks and Marquette basketball, and attended many games with his son, Robert.

John loved spending time with his grandchildren. He took them camping at Devil’s Lake, where they built sand castles and played in the lake, and they shared fishing trips in Watertown, visits to the Madison zoo and a trip to Disney World.

John cared deeply for the Watertown community. He served as president of the Watertown Rotary Club, leading many of its fundraisers and scholarship efforts, and was active in the Watertown Chamber of Commerce throughout his career. He helped with the fundraising effort for an addition to the Watertown Public Library. He supported Riverfest and volunteered there in many roles over the years, and he revived the Community Concert Series.

John’s Catholic faith was the cornerstone of his life. He lived his beliefs through his involvement with Bread and Roses, Meals on Wheels, and serving as president of the Watertown Food Pantry. He was an integral part of St. Bernard Catholic Church, where he served many terms as council president and as a lector at Sunday Mass. He also spearheaded a multimillion-dollar fundraising campaign to replace the church’s steeple and roof and renovate its interior.

Anyone who knew John knew that he did everything with the utmost honesty and integrity.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll “Bud” Ebert and Helen “Sue” Ebert. He is survived by his wife, Gladys; his daughter, Laura (Sandeep), and their children, Rakesh and Ravi; his son, Robert (Lindsay), and their children, Isabelle and Grant; his brothers, Mark (Veronique) and Jim (Julie); and his sisters, Lynne (Tom) and Jane (Tom).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Watertown with Fr. Tim Renz presiding. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home of Watertown and on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 10:00 AM until the time of mass at the church. John will be laid to rest at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery following the mass.