During the Korean conflict, John served in the Army Reserves and completed a tour of duty in Germany. Upon his discharge from the Army, he returned to Tomah where he was employed at the First Bank of Tomah. In 1970, John became president of the bank until he retired in 1986. John was very active in the Tomah community. He helped to start the Tomah Jaycees and the Rotary Interact Club and served on the Tomah School Board, Library Board, Parking Committee and Planning Commission, First Bank of Tomah Board of Directors, and Handishop Industries Board. He was a member of the Zor Shrine Temple in Madison, Mecca Shrine in Tomah, Tomah Masonic Lodge and American Legion. While active in the Tomah Rotary Club, he was proud to have served as past president and past district governor. John Drew, age 80, of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin and formerly of Tomah, WI, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2006
In his early years, he was active in the Boy Scouts as an Eagle Scout and a member of the Braves of Decorah. While at Tomah High School, he played in the jazz band. John dearly loved the outdoors, spending time at his cottage at Flora Dell. Other interests included, Tomah Theater Guild, fishing, hunting (life NRA member), teaching Hunters Safety classes, watching UW hockey and Green Bay Packer football, attending Overture Hall concerts. John enjoyed his pet dogs as well as his granddogs and grandcats. He, especially liked catching up on the activities of his beloved grandchildren.
He is survived by is wife, Susan; her son, Kent (Randi) Brown of Stoughton, WI, her sister, Jan (Pat) O’Brien and family, and John (Nancy) Kurt and children of Fitchburg, WI, his children, John Jeffrey (Shelley) Drew of Tomah, WI, and Sally Drew of Sauk City, WI; six grandchildren, Dan Drew of Longmont, CO, Tom (Michelle) Drew of Royal Oak, MI, Jim (fiancee, Lauren) Drew, of Longmont, CO, Sarah Smith of Sauk City, WI and Nicholas and Olivia Brown of Stoughton, WI; his sisters, Virginia Watson of Boulder, CO and Ann Elgood of Ann Arbor, MI; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Frank, and his son-in-law, Douglas Smith.
The family would like to thank the ICU staff at Meriter Medical Center for their wonderful care during John’s illness.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2006, 3:00 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. --------------------------------------- Questions or Comments? info@torkelsonfuneralhomes.com