John Shilts Sr. 07/14/2026

John Arthur Shilts Sr., age 65, passed away on July 14, 2026, in Deer Park, Wisconsin.
John was born in 1961 in Pierre, South Dakota, to Gordon and Eileen (Isaak) Shilts. In 1966, when John was five years old, the family moved to New Richmond, Wisconsin, where he was raised. He graduated from New Richmond High School with the Class of 1979.
John dedicated more than three decades of his life to law enforcement, serving the people of St. Croix County with integrity, courage, and unwavering commitment.
He began his career with the Somerset Police Department. After completing his training, John was issued his badge and service firearm, but because he was not yet old enough to legally purchase ammunition, the Chief had to buy it for him. It was a humble beginning to what would become an extraordinary career in public service.
Deputy Shilts served with both the Somerset and New Richmond Police Departments before joining the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office in 1987. Throughout his career, he served in numerous roles, including assignments with the Drug Task Force and Emergency Response Unit, and rose through the ranks as Sergeant, Captain, Chief Deputy, and ultimately Sheriff.
In 2006, John graduated from the FBI National Academy, an achievement he considered one of the highlights of his career. While he valued the Academy’s commitment to knowledge, courage, and integrity, it was the lifelong friendships he formed there that meant the most to him. Every year, he traveled to Texas for a reunion and hog hunt with his fellow graduates, a tradition he eagerly anticipated and later shared with his son, John Jr., his nephew Andrew and grandson, Lincoln.
In 2011, John was elected Sheriff of St. Croix County and was honored to be re-elected for a second term. He retired on July 14, 2017, after 38 years of dedicated service to the citizens of St. Croix County.
For John, however, retirement simply meant finding new ways to serve. He joined the Wisconsin Department of Justice, working for the Wisconsin Attorney General, and continued wearing the badge as a consulting officer for several law enforcement agencies throughout St. Croix County.
Most recently, John proudly added “garlic farmer” to his résumé. Alongside his wife, Jo, he found great joy in working the land and selling their garlic and other products at local farmers markets. Looking back on this unexpected chapter, he recently laughed and told Jo, “If you would have told me 10 years ago that I’d be farming garlic, I never would have believed you.”
While John’s career was one of service, his greatest accomplishment was always his family.
John met the love of his life, Jo, in 2001. Never one to do things halfway, he proposed with carved pumpkins lining the outside of their home, creating a moment as thoughtful and memorable as the life they built together.
John had a big heart and an even bigger sense of humor. He loved making people laugh and kept family and friends on their toes with his quick wit and playful personality. Tara and Johnny fondly remember waking up to their dad enthusiastically singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'” at the top of his lungs, a tradition they have proudly continued with their own children. John was also grateful for the opportunity to welcome Jackie, Ben, and Alex, into his life. Though they met later in life, it didn’t take long for John to become a steady source of guidance, encouragement, and plenty of laughter. To everyone fortunate enough to call him family, John was quick with advice, generous with his time, and always ready with a joke that kept everyone smiling. They are grateful for the love, wisdom, and humor he brought into their lives, and John treasured each of them beyond measure.
John was incredibly proud that his son, John Jr., followed him into a career in law enforcement, carrying on a legacy of service that meant so much to him.
Being “Papa” to his grandchildren brought John immeasurable joy. He rarely missed an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments, encourage their interests, or simply spend time making memories with them. He delighted in watching their personalities grow, taking special joy in seeing his own love of the outdoors, horses, hard work, and laughter reflected in each of them.
John was a doer. Whether he was hunting, fishing, building, planting garlic, cheering passionately for the Green Bay Packers, or helping someone in need, he believed the best way to show you cared was by rolling up your sleeves and getting to work. More often than not, you could find him outside on his land with another project underway.
Whether he was serving his community, mentoring a young officer, cheering from the sidelines, working the land with Jo, or spending time with his family, John lived a life defined by service, humility, and love for the people around him. He will be remembered for his unwavering willingness to help others, his steadfast leadership, his generous heart, and his ability to make people smile. If there was work to be done, John was already there, leading by example with his own two hands, quiet determination, and a smile that reminded everyone the job would get done.
John was preceded in death by his father, Gordon Shilts, and his nephew, Joseph Campeau.
John is survived by his wife, Jo (Schilling) Shilts; his children, Tara (Kenny) Shoquist, John Shilts Jr., Alex Chilsen, Jackie (Brian) Montpetit, and Ben Chilsen; his grandchildren, Addison, Lincoln, Marlee, Eve, Ryder, and Anfinn; his mother, Eileen Bell; his sisters, Rosie Shilts, Vickie (Al) Soderquist, and Annette Heintz; along with many beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
A Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 1 pm at Faith Community Church 1040 Paperjack Drive New Richmond, WI. Visitation was on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 from 4-8 pm at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services 728 S Knowles Avenue New Richmond, WI and on Wednesday from 11 am – 1 pm at the church.
The family of John will hold in grateful remembrance your kind expression of sympathy.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch the recording of John’s service.