John A. Mountford, Sr.

PORTAGE –  John A. Mountford, Sr., age 80, died on Sunday, October 30, 2011, at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Madison.
John was born on March 6, 1931, in Poynette, the son of Hollis C. and Thelma (Hamilton) Mountford.  He married Doris Boehm on August 11, 1950; she preceded him in death in 1983.  He married Jaan Gohlke at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on November 27, 1987.  John was employed with the Columbia County Highway Department for 33 years, retiring in 1994.  He was sexton for Silver Lake Cemetery for 20 years, and Welsh Cemetery for many years.    John was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage.  He served on the Columbia County Fair Board, and had served as President of the local A.F.S.C.M.E. chapter.  John loved pitching horseshoes and was a member of the Portage Rod and Gun Club.   
John is survived by his wife, Jaan Mountford, Portage; his children, John (Debbie) Mountford, Loveland, CO, Thomas (Margie Agnew) Mountford, Portage, Cathy (Howard) Dehn, Portage, Cindy (Michael) Rykiel, Adams, Richard (Brenda) Mountford, DeForest, and Connie Preuss, Portage; his Step-children, Deborah (Gregory) Stein, Marshfield, Daniel (Cathy) Rohner, Westfield, and Donald Hess, Portage; 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; a brother, James (Judy) Mountford, Portage, many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Doris, and a grandson, Thomas James Mountford. 
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, with the Rev. Alan Boeck officiating.  Burial will follow in Welsh Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.  The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.