John "Jay" A. Emerick Jr.

John A. Emerick Jr. (“Jay”), 67, of Kronenwetter, died unexpectedly on July 21, 2026, while scuba diving the Cedarville shipwreck in the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan.

Jay was born April 13, 1959, in Milwaukee, son of John A. Emerick Sr. and Esther (Meyer) Emerick. Jay was a scientist and outdoorsman who explored the natural world throughout his professional and personal life. He earned degrees in geology and geophysics from the University of Wisconsin and spent his career exploring for oil and gas, first based in Louisiana and Texas where he raised four children alongside his former wife Jessica Emerick, and later stationed abroad in Asia and Africa, before returning home to Wisconsin in his well-deserved retirement where his adventures continued in earnest alongside his partner Cindy Radenz.

Jay’s love for the outdoors filled his calendar with trips hunting, fishing, and trapping; kayaking, canoeing, and scuba diving; hiking, biking, and camping; and what he jokingly called “thumb sports”: ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. His appreciation for nature was surpassed only by his commitment to sharing it with others. His favorite place to do that was Spirit Falls Lodge, where he dedicated his “labor of love” to carrying on decades-long family traditions in the woods and on the Spirit River with his children and relatives. He embodied its core values to preserve traditions, to remember those who went before, and to always honor their memory.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Regina, brother Patrick, best friend and cousin Tom, and a special uncle, Raymond Meyer. He is survived by his partner Cindy Radenz; his children Matt Emerick, Jay Emerick, Jenna Emerick, and Megan Emerick; his grandchildren Elliot Emerick and Jack Emerick; his siblings Richard, Mark, and Nancy; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 113 West Kort Street, Rothschild, with Rev. Janusz Kowalski presiding. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Private family burial will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.