MONROE - John Daehlin hasn't been through a whole lot of changes in his lifetime, and that's perfectly fine with him. The self-taught mechanic has owned a business in Monroe since 1960, and although he is a man who enjoys new challenges, he finds comfort in the day-to-day when so much in life just simply stays the same.
He grew up in Green County on a dairy farm in Jefferson Township between Monroe and Juda and said it was an upbringing that made clear he did not want to farm. The family had a herd of about 40 cows, and as the oldest son with just a younger sister, Daehlin spent a lot of his time helping with chores.
The farm had hogs, chickens and other animals, but Daehlin's favorite part was driving tractors, even before there were cabs. He said he watched as the farm underwent many changes through the years - he said there was a time when he was the barn cleaner and silo unloader - so unlike what's seen on today's farms.
When the work was done, he recalls spending time with family and listening to radio programs in the house. The family didn't have a television set - Daehlin wouldn't have one until he was married - but there was always work to fill the time. His radio favorites were boxing and the "Lone Ranger."
Daehlin attended various country schools and walked about a mile to get there. But when he reached eighth grade, Hiawatha Country School opened and the children were bussed there. That, along with indoor plumbing at the school, was the talk of the neighborhood.
The same teacher taught all eight grades. Once Daehlin completed his eighth-grade year, he attended Juda High School. There wasn't time for extracurricular activities, he said, and instead he rode the bus home, spending most of his time helping on the farm.
"Well, I didn't get kicked out," Daehlin laughed when asked whether he was a good student.
There were good times on the farm, too, and Daehlin said he enjoyed helping neighbors get their work done and sharing duties and machinery when everyone helped everyone.
After graduation, Daehlin's plan was to get off of the farm, and his parents also decided to move into Monroe in 1955. He landed a job working for the streets department for a while, doing odd jobs like shoveling. After a couple of years, he then worked at Swiggum's Standard Station, where he pumped gas and did mechanical work. He learned mostly on the job and enjoyed it immediately. He soon took over the business.
Daehlin then moved to a new station on the bypass, called Skelly's and then Daehlin's Shell. He ran it for almost a decade before he decided to branch off completely on his own after previously leasing the buildings.
He said he had a great customer clientele, and much of his success had simply fallen into his lap.
"I like it - meeting the people and getting new challenges," he said. "Ninety-nine percent of challenges are good ones."
He's seen many changes over the past 50 years in the business and several brands of cars have come and gone, parts that are no longer necessary to stock and better built and well-engineered automobiles.
He said U-Haul made the company turn to computers around 2006 and since he said he's fumbled his way around them.
"Most of the time I get along with it, but every so often it's smarter than I am," he laughed.
In the midst of owning his own business, Daehlin joined the National Guard in 1960, avoiding the draft that August. He was sent to train in Washington at Fort Lewis for the Berlin Crisis. After six months, he came home and married his wife, Betty, from South Wayne, whom he met on a blind date.
Betty also worked at the station for a while, helping to pump gas and taking on other jobs. Daehlin laughs when he tells the story of how she never wanted to end up with a man who was in the service station business or in the military. They've been married since 1961.
In 1968, Daehlin's time in the military was up, and he opted to get out. But after five years, he joined again in 1973, holding his rank as a staff sergeant. He served in the Guard on weekends and in summer camps and loved keeping up with the military life.
In 1991, he was sent to Desert Storm and worked with the transportation company. He drove a truck on equipment and tank missions. He enjoyed it but was glad to get home a year later. His business stayed intact with faithful employees keeping things running while he was away.
He stayed in the service a total of 26 years and said it was because he enjoyed both the discipline and the people. When he returned from Desert Storm, he said it was time to be done.
The couple have two children: a son, John Paul, who died 30 years ago, and a daughter, Michelle, who lives in town.
Although he's been operating his business for decades, Daehlin said he still gets up each day and goes to work. Now he mostly answers phones and does paperwork, which he enjoys, along with feeding his three cats; he's had one for 17 years, while the two babies wandered into the shop a few years ago.
"I'm a cat person," he said, noting he grew up with them on the farm.
He takes Sundays off from work and takes time to enjoy his 1939 Plymouth. His first car was a 1939 Chrysler, so it brings back fond memories. He belongs to the Yester Year Auto Club and enjoys tours on Sundays with Betty.
He likes to watch the Packers and the news but otherwise enjoys staying busy. He's been a member of the VFW since he returned from Desert Storm and has been part of the American Legion for almost 40 years. He occasionally enjoys a game of euchre or 500. He still attends his Juda High School reunions, now held every five years, and likes seeing and visiting with old friends.
Daehlin loves reading and enjoys history books focusing on the Civil War and several other topics other than politics.
He said he's content, happy and enjoys being in a "groove."
"Things don't change much with me," he concluded. "Some people like change - not me."
He grew up in Green County on a dairy farm in Jefferson Township between Monroe and Juda and said it was an upbringing that made clear he did not want to farm. The family had a herd of about 40 cows, and as the oldest son with just a younger sister, Daehlin spent a lot of his time helping with chores.
The farm had hogs, chickens and other animals, but Daehlin's favorite part was driving tractors, even before there were cabs. He said he watched as the farm underwent many changes through the years - he said there was a time when he was the barn cleaner and silo unloader - so unlike what's seen on today's farms.
When the work was done, he recalls spending time with family and listening to radio programs in the house. The family didn't have a television set - Daehlin wouldn't have one until he was married - but there was always work to fill the time. His radio favorites were boxing and the "Lone Ranger."
Daehlin attended various country schools and walked about a mile to get there. But when he reached eighth grade, Hiawatha Country School opened and the children were bussed there. That, along with indoor plumbing at the school, was the talk of the neighborhood.
The same teacher taught all eight grades. Once Daehlin completed his eighth-grade year, he attended Juda High School. There wasn't time for extracurricular activities, he said, and instead he rode the bus home, spending most of his time helping on the farm.
"Well, I didn't get kicked out," Daehlin laughed when asked whether he was a good student.
There were good times on the farm, too, and Daehlin said he enjoyed helping neighbors get their work done and sharing duties and machinery when everyone helped everyone.
After graduation, Daehlin's plan was to get off of the farm, and his parents also decided to move into Monroe in 1955. He landed a job working for the streets department for a while, doing odd jobs like shoveling. After a couple of years, he then worked at Swiggum's Standard Station, where he pumped gas and did mechanical work. He learned mostly on the job and enjoyed it immediately. He soon took over the business.
Daehlin then moved to a new station on the bypass, called Skelly's and then Daehlin's Shell. He ran it for almost a decade before he decided to branch off completely on his own after previously leasing the buildings.
He said he had a great customer clientele, and much of his success had simply fallen into his lap.
"I like it - meeting the people and getting new challenges," he said. "Ninety-nine percent of challenges are good ones."
He's seen many changes over the past 50 years in the business and several brands of cars have come and gone, parts that are no longer necessary to stock and better built and well-engineered automobiles.
He said U-Haul made the company turn to computers around 2006 and since he said he's fumbled his way around them.
"Most of the time I get along with it, but every so often it's smarter than I am," he laughed.
In the midst of owning his own business, Daehlin joined the National Guard in 1960, avoiding the draft that August. He was sent to train in Washington at Fort Lewis for the Berlin Crisis. After six months, he came home and married his wife, Betty, from South Wayne, whom he met on a blind date.
Betty also worked at the station for a while, helping to pump gas and taking on other jobs. Daehlin laughs when he tells the story of how she never wanted to end up with a man who was in the service station business or in the military. They've been married since 1961.
In 1968, Daehlin's time in the military was up, and he opted to get out. But after five years, he joined again in 1973, holding his rank as a staff sergeant. He served in the Guard on weekends and in summer camps and loved keeping up with the military life.
In 1991, he was sent to Desert Storm and worked with the transportation company. He drove a truck on equipment and tank missions. He enjoyed it but was glad to get home a year later. His business stayed intact with faithful employees keeping things running while he was away.
He stayed in the service a total of 26 years and said it was because he enjoyed both the discipline and the people. When he returned from Desert Storm, he said it was time to be done.
The couple have two children: a son, John Paul, who died 30 years ago, and a daughter, Michelle, who lives in town.
Although he's been operating his business for decades, Daehlin said he still gets up each day and goes to work. Now he mostly answers phones and does paperwork, which he enjoys, along with feeding his three cats; he's had one for 17 years, while the two babies wandered into the shop a few years ago.
"I'm a cat person," he said, noting he grew up with them on the farm.
He takes Sundays off from work and takes time to enjoy his 1939 Plymouth. His first car was a 1939 Chrysler, so it brings back fond memories. He belongs to the Yester Year Auto Club and enjoys tours on Sundays with Betty.
He likes to watch the Packers and the news but otherwise enjoys staying busy. He's been a member of the VFW since he returned from Desert Storm and has been part of the American Legion for almost 40 years. He occasionally enjoys a game of euchre or 500. He still attends his Juda High School reunions, now held every five years, and likes seeing and visiting with old friends.
Daehlin loves reading and enjoys history books focusing on the Civil War and several other topics other than politics.
He said he's content, happy and enjoys being in a "groove."
"Things don't change much with me," he concluded. "Some people like change - not me."