John passed away peacefully of natural causes at the Manor Care Hospice in Reno, Nev., on Sept. 27. John was born in Kemmerer on Nov. 14, 1945, to parents John and Mary Shickich. His parents divorced and his mother Mary married Marcello Carotta, who adopted both John and his older brother Steve.
John attended Frontier Elementary and Kemmerer Junior and Senior High School, graduating in 1964. He later joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1971. He married Janet Fagnant, and they had two sons, John and Brian. They later divorced, and John married Bobbi Cisko for a short time until their divorce. He then met and married Irene Hidalgo and remained with Irene until her passing in April of 2014.
John's passions were serving in the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in many capacities and refereeing sports throughout the years. He was employed right up to his passing. John is preceded in death by his wife Irene, a son Brian, his parents Mitch and Mary Carotta, his father John Schickich and a brother Tony. He is survived by his Brother Steve and his son John. He is also survived by his sisters Eletta Carotta, Gloria Carotta, brothers Mike Carotta and Ben Carotta, step-daughter Sonja (Rick) Winn and their children Sawyer and Bode, step-son Dean Hidalgo and his children Samantha and Austin, his step-sisters Carla, Denise, Roxanne and RaNae, numerous cousins and dear family friend Sue Lull.
John's requested to not have a church service. There will be a graveside service with Military and Fraternal Order of the Eagles honors on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 11:00 a.m. at South Lincoln Cemetery in Kemmerer. The family requests that all memorial donations go to a charity of the donor's choice in John's name. John had the heart of a true good Samaritan. We get peace knowing his good works go with him.
