01/05/2026
In Loving Memory: John T. Hallfrisch, MD, MPH
April 16, 1955 – January 1, 2026
The Passing
John T. Hallfrisch, MD, MPH, age 70, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Surrounded by his wife and children, John completed a life defined by an extraordinary commitment to his family, his faith, and the well-being of the communities he called home.
A Native Son’s Return
Born on April 16, 1955, in Menominee, Michigan, to the late John Edmund and Inez Elaine (Harkonen) Hallfrisch, John was a proud graduate of the Menominee High School Class of 1973. He remained a lifelong resident of the area he so dearly loved. On November 30, 1974, John married the love of his life, Clarice (Gunville), beginning a lifetime of shared dreams and devotion that spanned over fifty years. John pursued his calling at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, graduating in 1984. After practicing for a short time in Lower Michigan, John felt a powerful pull to return to his roots. Driven by a desire to raise his children in the same community that shaped him, he moved his growing family back into his parents’ old home in Menominee. He built a large addition to the house with the help of his family and friends, literally expanding on the foundations his parents had laid to make room for his own six children.
A Legacy of Healing
For over 30 years, Dr. Hallfrisch served as a cornerstone of healthcare in the region. His career was remarkable for its breadth: he operated a beloved private medical practice in Marinette, provided essential care within the Emergency Department at Dickinson County Hospital in Iron Mountain, and offered compassionate support to the residents of Pinecrest Medical Care Facility in Powers. He was a "hometown doctor" in the truest sense, believing that a physician’s most important skill was the ability to listen and understand the person behind the patient.
The Builder and the Teacher
Beyond the clinic, John was most at home in the outdoors. He was a man of constant motion and a master of many trades, spending his free time at his "camp" property near Stephenson, Michigan. Whether he was on his tractor or immersed in a new project, John lived by the philosophy of hard work. A prolific builder, he led family and friends in constructing pole barns, renovating houses, and maintaining vehicles. These were never solitary tasks; they were "family projects" where he taught his children and grandchildren the values of creativity and self-sufficiency. He believed that if something was broken, you fixed it, and if you needed more space, you built it.
Faith, Travel, and Humor
A devoted member of Resurrection Catholic Parish in Menominee and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, John’s faith was the quiet engine behind his service to others. He was a familiar voice and presence at Sunday Mass, where he served for many years as a regular reader. When he was not at the lectern, he was often found lending his voice to the parish choir, sharing his love for music and worship. John was also a master storyteller who always had a new joke to share, ranging from the lighthearted to the occasionally "dirty" joke, and he always delivered them with a twinkle in his eye and a desire to bring a smile to someone’s face. John’s greatest joy was exploring the country with his family. He spent years piloting the family motorhome across the United States, taking his children and grandchildren on unforgettable adventures to National Parks and historical locations, ensuring they understood the story of their country as well as their own.
Family
John’s greatest legacy is the family he built with his wife, Clarice (Gunville) Hallfrisch. He is survived by Clarice and their children: Angela Myers, John J. (Diana) Hallfrisch, Valerie (Shane) DeCamp, Aaron (Andrea) Hallfrisch, Sean (Colleen) Hallfrisch, and Luke Hallfrisch. He is also survived by his siblings: Sheila (Michael) Shanks, Jeffrey (Lynda) Hallfrisch, and Janet (Jonathan) Svar. He is further survived by his cherished grandchildren: Clara, Isaac, Zoey, John Zayne, Zander, Zavier, Zayda, Breanna, Katelyn, Athena, Reigna, Drew, Henry, and Helen; and his great-grandchildren: Eliza, Zaria, and Lucien. They will forever remember "Grandpa" for his motorhome adventures, his tractor rides, and his endless supply of jokes.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Edmund and Inez Elaine Hallfrisch, and his son-in-law, Eric Myers.
Services
The Hallfrisch family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the medical team at Aurora BayCare for their compassionate care and the dignity shown to John in his final hours.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Cadieu Funeral Home in Menominee with vigil prayer service at 6:30 pm.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Resurrection Catholic Parish in Menominee with Father Jamie Ziminski officiating, with a lunch to follow in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the National Park Foundation or NPR, or the gift of a living plant. Alternatively, donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice, honoring John’s lifelong spirit of service and curiosity.
