John W. Riedel

John W. Riedel, age 88, passed away at the Hospice Home of Hope on Friday, May 4, 2018 after a brief illness. He was born on January 16, 1930 in Osceola, Wisconsin to William F. and Helen E. (Peterson) Riedel. John graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1948. He married Kathleen Beale on December 8, 1951 in Eau Claire. They were married for 65 years before she passed away on June 2, 2017.

John served in the United States Coast Guard from 1951 through 1954. He was stationed in Milwaukee and served on the Great Lakes. In September of 2015, he was able to visit Washington, D.C. as a member of the Old Glory Honor Flight.

Following his discharge from the Coast Guard in 1954, John was employed in the insurance field, moving to Fond du Lac in 1962. He was hired as the Executive Director of the Fond du Lac Area United Way in 1976 and served until his retirement in 1994. He was very proud of the fact that the agency met its fund raising goal every year under his leadership. John had been a member of the Fond du Lac Elks Lodge, the Fond du Lac Morning Rotary Club, and the Fond du Lac Running Club. He enjoyed running for many years and had a collection of awards and trophies for his achievements in his age class.

John was previously a member of Immanuel Trinity Lutheran Church and most recently attended Trinity Baptist Church in Fond du Lac.

John is survived by two daughters Shelley (Pat) Tighe of Brownsville, WI and Jayne Borst (Tim Sheppard) of Fond du Lac, WI. In addition, he is survived by seven grandchildren, Betsy Borst, Jenny Borst, Laura Borst, Kevin (Mary) Tighe, Kelly (Bryan) Wondra, Katie Tighe, Emily Tighe, and one great granddaughter, Sofia Tighe. He is also survived by his sister, Irene Hadfield, of Glide, OR and his dog, Suzy. John was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his brothers William, Robert, Harold, and George Riedel.

John’s family would like to thank the Hospice Home of Hope and Dr. Michael Sergi for the excellent care that was provided for him.

Private family funeral services will be held at a later date with inurnment at the Chapel of the Risen Christ Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery, Fond du Lac, WI.

Memorials may be directed to The Hospice Home of Hope in John’s memory.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com.