Elkhart Lake mourns the loss of John Shovan, the beloved owner of Lake Street Cafe Elkhart Lake, who passed away on Sunday afternoon at the age of 58. The local restaurant community and patrons of Lake Street Cafe are remembering Shovan’s contributions and legacy.
Lake Street Cafe announced Shovan’s passing in a heartfelt Facebook post, expressing deep sadness. The news has resonated throughout Elkhart Lake and beyond, as Shovan and Lake Street Cafe have been fixtures in the community for over two decades. Located at 21 S. Lake St. in the heart of Elkhart Lake, the cafe will be temporarily closed but is set to reopen its doors to the public on Friday.
A private service is planned to honor Shovan’s life, with burial at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the Town of Mitchell. Additionally, a public celebration of life will be held on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Throttlestop, a motorcycle museum located at 20 Victory Lane in Elkhart Lake. This gathering will allow the community to come together, share memories, and celebrate John Shovan’s life.
John Shovan, alongside his ex-wife Lynn, established Lake Street Cafe Elkhart Lake in 1999. According to his obituary, Shovan took immense pride in Lake Street Cafe and cherished the daily interactions with his staff and the cafe’s loyal customers. Lynn Shovan shared with The Sheboygan Press that “John loved the village of Elkhart Lake and the business community we are a part of,” highlighting his deep connection to the area.
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Shovan’s dedication to quality was evident in every aspect of Lake Street Cafe, most notably in his meticulously curated wine list. His passion and expertise led the wine list to achieve the second-highest level of recognition from Wine Spectator, a testament to his commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience at Lake Street Cafe Elkhart Lake. “He had a unique attention to detail that helped make Lake Street Café what it is today,” his obituary thoughtfully stated.
In lieu of floral tributes, the family requests that donations be made in John Shovan’s memory to the Sheboygan County Humane Society, reflecting his caring nature and compassion. The community and patrons of Lake Street Cafe Elkhart Lake look forward to its reopening on Friday, honoring John Shovan’s legacy and the establishment he so passionately built.
