Surnames: Apfel, Rouse, Clemmons, Bertrand, Stoll, Neville, Roberts, Watson, Douglas, Morvak

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) January 14, 2009

Apfel, John L. (14 May 1923 - 10 January 2009) With Flag

John L. Apfel, 85, of Neillsville passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Center in Madison Jan. 10, 2009.

John was born May 14, 1923, on the family farm in Neillsville to Legare and Josephine (Rouse) Apfel. He attended Dells Dam Elementary School and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1942. After graduation, he continued work on the family farm and operated a milk route. He entered the U. S. Army in 1948 and was stationed on Okinawa as part of the Army of Occupation-Japan; he was honorably discharged in 1950.

He married Lucille Clemmons Bertrand Sept. 9, 1950, at the Methodist parsonage in Neillsville. John adopted Lucille’s young son, Richard, in 1951. He worked for the Clark County Highway department as a heavy equipment operator until 1958. Following, he worked several years for Edward Kraemer & Sons and 10 years for Gaier Construction. Eventually, he returned to the Highway Department and retired in 1985. During retirement, he worked part-time as a patrol operator for the Town of Levis and also served as a board supervisor.

John and Lucy delighted in experiencing the outdoors through numerous camping and fishing trips together and with friends. He was an avid fisherman and relished observing wildlife and the changing seasons. He also took pleasure in helping Barb and Ellis Stoll on their homestead farm, tending to livestock and getting back to his farming roots. In his later years, John especially enjoyed ice fishing and shopping/dining jaunts with his good friend, Bill Neville. He also maintained a vigilant "bench patrol" with his friend, John Roberts, at the O’Neil Terrace Apartments.

John was a product of his generation, growing up in the Depression Era and World War II. He was a plain man with hard work as his prime ethic. He spoke little of himself or his needs, but his word was truth. For these values we are grateful.

John is survived by his son, Rick (Jan Watson) Apfel of Madison; two granddaughters, Megan Apfel (Todd Douglas) of Fort Collins, CO, and Dana Apfel of Madison; cousins, Virginia Morvak of Black River Falls and Ellis and Barb Stoll of Neillsville.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Lucy.

A celebration of John’s life will be held in May with notification to follow. Interment will be at the Neillsville Cemetery.

Buchanan Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.