Surnames: John, Meinke, Jordi, Schoenrock, Reiser, Knief, Bauman, Nelson, Person, Welch

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) February 18, 2009

John, Walter Fred (3 August 1926 - 13 February 2009)

Walter F. John, age 82, of Thorp, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2009, at Oakbrook Health & Rehab in Thorp.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorp with Rev. Daniel Welch officiating. Visitation was held at the Church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Walter Fred John was born on August 3, 1926, in Marengo, IL to John A. and Emma (Meinke) John. He was raised on the family farm and received his education at the Coral Township country school. He was united in marriage to Jean D. Jordi on June 22, 1946, at the United Methodist Church in Elgin, IL. They farmed in the Marengo area until moving to Granton, WI in 1971. They sold their farm in Marengo in 1972 and later purchased a farm in 1973 in the Township of Withee, rural Thorp. Walter farmed in the Township of Withee until 1992, at which time they moved into Thorp.

H was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Harvard, IL for more than 55 years; served on the Riley Community Consolidated School Board in Illinois; was on the Township of Withee Board for 14 years, serving as a supervisor and chairman; was the grader operator for the Township of Withee for many years; served on the Thorp city Council for four years; and drove school bus for Rosemeyer’s for 28 years.

Walter had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends, hunting, bowling, snowmobiling, riding motorcycles and traveling.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Jean, of Thorp; one son Robert (Tina (John) of Tucson, AZ; one daughter, Penny (Dennis)Schoenrock of Iola, WI; one grandson, Tyson (Tracy) John; one great-granddaughter, Abby John; one great-grandson, Kale John; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and five sisters: Wilma Reiser, Mary Knief, Thelma Bauman, Lena Nelson, and Mabel Person.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.