John Robert Chianelli

Chianelli, John Robert, 59, of Milwaukee, WI, passed away on September 26, 2024, at his home in Milwaukee.

John Chianelli was born on February 8, 1965, in Kenosha, WI to Theresa M. Chianelli (Santelli) and Frank C. Chianelli Jr. He grew up in Kenosha, WI and graduated from Tremper High School in 1983. After high school he graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1988 followed by a Masters of Healthcare Administration from Cardinal Stritch University in 2001.

Throughout his life, John worked many occupations and always loved what he did. He was a dedicated and passionate healthcare leader in Milwaukee with a focus on behavioral health and integrated care. As the Vice President and Executive Director of the Whole Health Clinical Group since 2011, he enhanced patient outcomes through evidence-based practices. He also served as a professor at Northern Vermont University and taught graduate courses at Southern New Hampshire University. His previous roles included Division Administrator for Milwaukee County’s Behavioral Health Division, Director of County Health Programs, and Manager of Milwaukee County’s Managed Care Program. John’s extensive experience as an Occupational Therapist and instructor reflected his commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved communities. When he wasn’t working, he prioritized making special events with family and friends, cooking extravagant meals with food for everyone of which he eventually coined himself as “Instagram famous,” teaching his students how to use their hearts and minds to serve their patients and so much more.

He is survived by his son Joshua Chianelli and his beautiful girlfriend Tess Miller, his husband Daniel Bayless and his sons Barrett and Adler Bayless; his mother- and father-in-law Bruce and Loretta Bayless; his brothers Frank (Joan) Chianelli III and James (Becky) Chianelli; brother-in-law Joshua (Denise) Bayless; sister-in-laws Leslie (Adam) Donar, Dorothy (Christopher) Milana; nieces, Jennifer Bertz, Kellan Milana, Lucia Bayless, Autumn Donar, Evelyn Donar, Opal Donar, Iris Donar, and Charlotte Bayless; nephews Frank Chianelli IV, Christian Milana, Jackson Bayless, William Milana and Peter Bayless; grandnephew Luke Bertz; former spouse and mother to Joshua, Diane Chianelli (Birringer). He is also survived by some of his closest friends he called chosen family – Jennifer Wittwer, Reuben Sotolongo, Josh Sawyer, and his entire Whole Health Clinical Group Family. Special shout out to the wonderful hospice team, Legacy Hospice, that assisted with making him comfortable in his final weeks.

He is preceded in death by several relatives including his mother, Theresa Chianelli, his father, Frank Chianelli Jr; sister, Diane Bachar, brother-in-law Tom Bachar; nephew, Jimmy Chianelli; and many other dear uncles, aunts, relatives, and friends.

The celebration of John’s life will be on Friday, October 4, 2024 at Brooklife Church, located at 857 South Rochester Street, Ste 300, Mukwonago, Wisconsin with a visitation from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM and Service at 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Family and friends are invited to join.

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