JONATHAN SOPEL

Jonathan Heinz Sopel Jr. passed away on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, WI. He was surrounded by loved ones and is now reunited with his mom (Lana Sopel), whom he missed dearly. 

Jonathan, better known as Jonnie or Jon Boy, was born December 21st, 1970, in Wausau, WI, but spent the majority of his life living in Neenah, WI. The community in Neenah meant the world to Jonnie. Whether he was spending time at Family Video, Marco’s Pizza, Barrel 41, or the laundromat, he would do his best to speak to, scare, and laugh with everyone he encountered. He also dearly loved his job at Goodwill, which he had for 25 plus years. 

Jonnie will be dearly missed by his father, Jonathan Heinz Sopel Sr., sister Sheila Jackson (husband Kenneth Jackson) and brothers Steven Sopel (wife Connie Sopel) and Jeffery Sopel. He also had several nieces and nephews that adored him: Brady Jackson, Karly Jackson, Heather Sopel, Austin Sopel (fiancé MacKenzie Schultz), Hannah Bellile (husband Austin Bellile), and Sylvia Suares (husband Jared Suares). 

He will also be missed by many aunts, uncles: Lorelie Sopel and Jim Weir, Al Koslowski, Dawn and Willie Chartrand, Sherry Rohde, Rodney and Mary Rohde, Bobber and Sandy Rohde, Rich Rohde, Dan and Betty Rohde along with numerous cousins and so many friends. 

Preceding him in death were his mother, Lana Sopel (Sept 20, 2017); grandparents Heinz & Caroline Sopel, Harry & Leona Rohde; aunts and uncles, Barb Kozlowski, June (Ken) Ross, Terry Rohde, Babe Rohde, cousin Chadly Chartrand, and other special relatives. 

The family would like to make a special thanks to Goodwill in Menasha and Appleton for all of their work with Jonnie over the last 25 plus years. He thrived on having his work routine and interactions, and his life would not have been the same without it. 

An additional special thanks to Jonnie’s aunt Lorelie Sopel and James Weir for all their help in taking care of Jonnie over the years, especially after losing his mom. 

Life without Jonnie will not be the same for the family, but there is comfort in the memories we all hold near and dear to us. His memory will live on forever. 

A memorial service will be held for Jonnie at Noon on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home, 205 W. Doty Avenue. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:00 am until Noon. For those unable to attend, the service will be available to be viewed on the funeral home's YouTube page (link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6rRtpZkImM ).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Goodwill to help others like Jonnie. https://goodwillncw.org/donate/