Obituaries

 

John Ellis “Honest John” McFaul

Briggsville—John Ellis “Honest John” McFaul passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on his 89th birthday, May 29, 2018. He was born on May 29, 1929, in New London, Wisconsin, to the late Ira D. and Cora (Bitney) McFaul.

John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946 at the age of 17. His first command was aboard the USS Yancey (AKA 93) as a bosun’s mate. This ship was part of Task Force 68 assigned to Operation Highjump under the command of Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s fourth Antarctic expedition.  Upon return, he transferred to the USS Putnam DD757. His military service was cut short due to his father’s illness and the need to run the family farm.

On August 20, 1949, John married the love of his life, Diane M. Ferweda. John worked in the auto body repair business for the majority of his life. Later in years, John worked as the bar manager at Duane’s Sand Bar in Wisconsin Dells. His passions were fishing (and storytelling), hunting, his loyal dog companions and, most of all, successfully racing stock cars all over the state of Wisconsin. John was a member of the American Legion Post 329 in Briggsville and a lifelong member of The Elks. John served as a volunteer for the Briggsville Fire Department and was the fire warden for Adams County for years.

His greatest legacy would be his three sons, Lawrence (Mena) McFaul of Briggsville, Johnnie Ray (Amber) and Jim (Denise) McFaul, both of Wisconsin Dells. He is survived by eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and one sister, Ida (Sherwin) Lloyd of Oxford. John will be greatly missed by his sister, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends too numerous to mention.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Diane; an infant daughter; his parents; three sisters, Marion Feely, June Cottam and Darlene Schroeder; and three brothers, Linden, Lyle and Lester James McFaul.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, Wisconsin, on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., with Fr. Dale Grubba presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial with military honors provided by the Briggsville American Legion Post 329 will be at the Big Spring Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the American Legion Hall in Briggsville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the family.

The family would like to thank the staff at Golden Living Center for their compassionate care for John during his stay.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.

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Obituaries
For information please call 608 742-2126 (Portage, WI) or 608 635-2763 (Poynette, WI)