John W. Cargen

John William Cargen, 91, of Beaver Dam passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at the Charleston House in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

A visitation for John will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024 from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 N. Crystal Lake Road in Beaver Dam, WI. A funeral service will begin at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Shaun Arndt officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

John was born on July 30, 1932 the son of John F. and Florence (Utne) Cargen at Lake Ripley, Cambridge, WI.  He was a graduate of Cambridge High School.  On June 20, 1953, he was united in marriage with Darlene Marie Bachofen in Waterloo, WI.

John started out working as a farmer, but took a job later working for the IH dealership known as Rissman-Gamble in Beaver Dam while attending night school at the U.W. Extension for Accounting. John later began working for a CPA firm in Madison. He continued to advance his career by moving his family to Mayville, WI, where he was employed by Mayville Metal company.  John was a visionary entrepreneur buying a metal fabrication company in 1971 establishing the beginning of MetalCraft of Mayville. Through the years John bought, developed, grew, and sold various companies (Callahan and Company, Sajac Company – currently known as Vintage Parts, and Metal Solutions, Inc.).  John was a dedicated mentor who guided and inspired many individuals throughout their careers.

John was a faithful member of Peace Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, WI.  He and Darlene enjoyed traveling with family and friends to many places especially to Nashville and Florida.  He had enjoyed hunting in his early years.  John also took great pleasure in collecting wildlife artwork; paintings and hand carved wooden ducks.

John will be missed by his children: David K. (Christine) Cargen, Diane M. (Nick) Persha, Dawn M. (Philip) Otto and Lori M. (Greg) Beckwith, grandchildren: Jacob D. (Tricia) Cargen, Joshua J. (special friend Sarah Krueger) Cargen, Nicole M. Persha, John P. (Christi) Otto, James D. (Danielle) Otto, Ashley M. Otto and husband Luis Mendoza Cruz, Ashlee M. Beckwith and Rachel L. (special friend Austin Stemme) Beckwith, great-grandchildren: Nolan Cargen, Fletcher Cargen, Hudson Cargen, Makenna Fitzsimmons, Parker Kostick, Isabelle Otto, Eliana Otto, Isaac Otto, Elias Otto, Matthew Otto, Micah Otto, Madison Otto and Lushia Mendoza Otto. Sister-in-law Carol Bachofen.  John is further survived by other relatives and friends.

John was preceded death by his parents, his wife Darlene in 2020, a brother in infancy, his sister Isabelle (Raymond “Red”) Spinti, and brother-in-laws Donald Bachofen and Ken Bachofen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s name may be directed to Peace Lutheran Church, 1007 Stonehaven Drive, Sun Prairie, WI  53590.