John E. Ferguson

On Thursday, March 8, 2012, John E. Ferguson, age 78, took his final breath on earth and the first steps on his new journey. He departed this world in the same house that he was born, surrounded by his wife, Shirley, and four children: Colleen, Kevin, John, and Bill.John was born on September 3, 1933, the son of William and Helen Costello Ferguson.On December 28, 1956, John married Shirley Retzleff. John and Shirley had four children: Colleen (Dan) O’Hearn, Kevin (Bonnie) Ferguson, John T. Ferguson (Kurt Schuhart), and Bill (Lisa) Ferguson. He worked the family farm from the time he was 14 years old up to the very end of his life.John served with the United States Army. From 1956-1958, he was a member of the 9th Division, Company A, 60th Battalion, 47th Regiment. The focus of John’s active military career was in the medical field. He served in the 2nd Army Headquarters, 3rd Mobil Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) at Fort George G. Mead in Fort Meade, Maryland. John was also trained for chemical, biological, and radiological warfare at Fort Lee, Virginia. He served active duty for the U. S. Army Reserve from 1958-1960, and then inactive duty from 1961-1962. John was president of the Town of Byron Veteran’s Memorial from 2005 - January 2012, and received the 2011 Citizen of the Year Award for his leadership and direction on the memorial.John was an active member of the National Farmer’s Organization starting in 1962. He was a charter member for Fond du Lac County, the organization’s first secretary, and the first member of the State Board - 6th Congressional District.An avid outdoorsman, John enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and anything that had to do with nature. He was on the state board of directors for the Wisconsin Conservation Congress from 1993 - 2006. The only thing John enjoyed more than the outdoors was spending time with his ten grandchildren: Shaun, Keegan, and Riley O’Hearn; Melissa, Sarah, Mary, and Patrick Ferguson; and Nolan, Kallen, and Madeleine Ferguson. John adored every moment he spent with his family.John is preceded in death by his father, mother, brother (Tom Ferguson), and sister (Margaret O’Brien).He is further survived by his sisters, Rosemary (Gene) O’Brien and Delphine Johnson, and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Sons of Zebedee, St. John’s Church, W5882 Church Road, Byron, with Fr. Michael Petersen officiating. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Byron.The visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac, and on Tuesday at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. John’s family would like to say a very special thank you to Agnesian Hospice Hope. Without their support, we could not have granted Dad his last wish – to die at home with grace, dignity, and surrounded by the memories of a full, rich life.God has taken you, Dad, because your work here is done. Thank you for all you have taught us – that family is all that really matters in this life; and to live life with strength, courage, compassion, love, and no regrets.“An Old Irish Blessing”May the road rise up to meet you.May the wind always be at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face,And rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

John E. Ferguson

September 3, 1933 - March 8, 2012