John Aehl did not want an obituary, and he certainly would have had something to say about this one, but his editing skills are no longer available, and his children have a tendency to not listen, so here we are. John Thomas Aehl passed away peacefully, with family present, on April 18, 2026, following what he always said was a long and good life.

John was born in Milwaukee on September 7, 1935, to Thaddeus and Kathryn Aehl. The eldest of three brothers, John would play multiple sports, but it was baseball that would make him a standout and take him to the University of Wisconsin, where he was a southpaw pitcher for the Badgers. John would leave UW with a journalism degree, but he paused his career to play professional baseball for three years in Erie, PA, Durham, NC, and Appleton, Wisconsin.

He met Susan Smrz at a dance at Marquette University in Milwaukee and they married on January 11, 1958. They enjoyed many years together and treasured retirement with their five children and 11 grandchildren, and an occasional trip to Maine. He enjoyed his many books and after retiring was known to write lengthy letters to insurers, authors, or to fight a parking ticket (it worked). He loved Shakespeare and read all but one of his plays, choosing to save it for later in life. He never did read it. He occasionally took a crime novel from a little library and, after reading, threw it away so no one else would have to suffer through it.

After ending his baseball career, John and Sue settled in Madison where he started a more than 40-year career as a reporter/editor with the Wisconsin State Journal. It was about this time he traded in his baseball bat for a golf club, and his late night job as night city editor allowed many hours on the course at Nakoma Country Club. He was good enough to win the City of Madison golf tournament, with his youngest son Dan as his caddy, six club championships, and a few dollars on bets with other Nakoma members. He also had an incredible 11 holes-in-one. While none of his children inherited his left-handedness (and only Dan his golf skills), they did enjoy an occasional round of golf, an appearance in a father/son or daughter tournament, and especially the annual Aehl Family Golf Outing.

He and Susan spoke glowingly of their grandchildren. His only requirement of them was to call him grandfather, and they dutifully did so. Many of his grandchildren followed his example and memorized The Jabberwocky, and most at some point had to endure a viewing of The Mikado. He had a love for classical music that did not get handed down to his children or grandchildren, but they did gain an appreciation for this passion, especially when forced to listen. He continued to write on the Madison Symphony Orchestra for the Wisconsin State Journal after his retirement.

John is survived by his children Michael (Conni), James (Karen), Laura Roth (Dale), Daniel (Heidi), son-in-law David McLenachan; grandchildren David (Debbie), Julie (Zach), Jacob (Assem), Peter (Celia), Benjamin, Michael (Mary), Jennifer, Alice, Vanessa, John, and Kathryn; brother Jim (Carol), brothers/sisters-in-law Steve and Kathy Peterson, Judy Fojut; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. John was preceded in death by Susan, his wife of 62 years, whom he missed dearly, daughter Suzanne, brother Richard, sister-in-law Carolyn, and brother-in-law Robert Fojut.

The family would like to thank Agrace HospiceCare for keeping John comfortable in his final days. At his request, there will be no public service. The family will be holding a private event when we are all able to get together. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Agrace HospiceCare or the Madison Symphony Orchestra. John was not a drinker, but his drink of choice on the rare occasion was the vodka gimlet. So, please enjoy a vodka gimlet and Franck’s Symphony in D Minor in his memory.

Please share your memories of John by posting in his guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434