Obituary of John Martin Herzfeld, Jr.

John Martin Herzfeld Jr., 99, passed peacefully from this life at home surrounded by family May 8, 2021 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Born January 7, 1922 to Charlotte and John Sr. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the eldest of four children. Married Madelyn Schmaltz of Milwaukee March 25, 1944, and Donzetta Hendrix of Lake Havasu April 8, 2002. Attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Colgate University (BS in Geology) prior to serving as Lieutenant in the US Navy during WWII. John learned the retail furniture trade at The Boston Store department store chain in southeastern Wisconsin before owning Lyke Furniture (later Herzfeld Carpet & Furniture) in Oconomowoc. In 1970 John and Maddie packed up the two youngest and moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. John was a founder and long-time member of the Board of Directors of Mohave State Bank (later State Bank of Arizona) in Lake Havasu. John enjoyed working with his hands, with endless fixing and building projects. John played college hockey, loved sailing, boating, swimming, tennis and curling. He embodied the ‘Service Above Self’ motto of Rotary International, having served as President of both the Oconomowoc and London Bridge Clubs. He also served as Commodore of the La Belle Yacht Club, and was a founding member and officer of the Kettle Moraine Curling Club. Survived by wife Donnie; children Susi Mays (Larry), Jim (Carol Funckes), and Patti Renner (Jack); nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; and, sisters Charlotte Simons and Elizabeth Keay. John was preceded in death by wife Maddie (July, 2001), eldest daughter Lyn (August, 2008), and brother Bob (March, 2021). John will be buried at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens, with arrangements handled by Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to Hospice of Havasu. John’s light shone brightest when he was needed the most. A quiet yet determined and principled leader with a dry, understated wit, he never sought the limelight. He shaped lives with gentle discipline, influence, example, and opportunity without trying to exert control. John was a spiritual man with a deep, innate sense of humanity, of that which is good and right. He understood that we all walk our own path in life, and that each individual’s path was only different, not better or worse. A kind, gentle, patient, and generous gentleman to the end. “We’ll be missing you around here…” Services were entrusted to the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. To send a free card go to www.sendoutcards.com/lietzfraze.