John David Wylie Sr.

John Wylie, age 92, of Neillsville, WI died Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at the House of the Dove in Marshfield, WI.   John David Wylie was born on March 1, 1925 in Foley, Minnesota the son of John Earl and Ann Francis (Vanderwyst) Wylie. He graduated from Tabor High School in Iowa in 1942 and then traveled to California to begin a job at the Aurora Airplane Factory. Less than a year later he was drafted into the United States Air Force. He served in Italy as a B-24 bomber earning a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and an armament gunner badge during his seven campaigns. After his discharge on November 30, 1945, he returned home and went into farming. He was united in marriage to Carolyn Law on June 10, 1949 in Iowa. They moved to Wisconsin in 1960 and farmed south of Neillsville. In addition to farming, John also did construction work and served as a guard at Short’s Mink farm. He worked for a short time at Tesmer Construction and was employed for 17 years at the cheese factory started by Herman Hediger.   He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post #73 in Neillsville. When he wasn’t working, John enjoyed hunting and fishing.   He is survived by two children, Carol (Russell) Smith of Neillsville, WI and John Wylie Jr. of Marshfield, WI, two grandchildren, Jake (Karen) Smith and Rachel (Dan) Martinez, two great grandchildren, Ryan and Katelyn Smith, three brothers, Joe Wylie of Iowa, Jim (Karen) Wylie of Georgia and Ray (Janet) Wylie of Iowa, one sister, Helen (Gene) Adrian of Nevada and many nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn in 1984, an infant daughter, Barbara and his parents.   The Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. The officiant will be Rev. Varkey V. Joseph. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at the Gesche Funeral Home.   Casket Bearers are: Gene Smith, Rick Kuhn, Butch Ehlers and Larry Kyle   Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.   The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting John’s family with Funeral arrangements.