John Peter Dreyer

PORTAGE – John Peter Dreyer, age 80, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

John was born on November 1, 1936, in Portage, the son of Henry and Eleanora (Wakerhauser) Dreyer. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He married Rosemary Ross on September 28, 1956, at St. Paul’s Church in Lewiston Township. John worked in the concrete business for 35 years, owning and operating the John Dreyer Construction Company. He was a member of the Madison Jim Beam Bottle Club, the Portage Boat Club and the Matt Kenseth Fan Club. John was a Green Bay Packer enthusiast and also enjoyed hunting, antiquing, collecting, NASCAR racing, and loved going to auctions.  

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Dreyer of Portage; children, Sandra (Arthur) Hillmer of Elkhart Lake, David (Danita) Dreyer of Portage, Dale (Gary Bement) Dreyer of Oakland Park, FL, Patrick Dreyer of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Nicholas (Shannon) Hillmer of West Allis, Christopher Hillmer of Madison, Amber (Earl) Hansen of Portage; great-grandchildren, Karley and Aliyah Hillmer of West Allis; sister, Carol Nelson of Pardeeville; brothers-in-law and lifelong friends, William (Rosemary) Ross of Memphis, TN, Jerrod (Audrey) Addie of Sand Creek; friends, Ron (Janine) Jensen of Oxford, Paul (Ginger) Nelson of Pardeeville, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold and Richard; sisters, Violet Friburg, Fern Thurston, Alice Maloney and Gladys Giese.  

Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Greg Hovland officiating. Private burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.     

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 531313, Henderson, NV 89053.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home is assisting the family.