Obit: Foster, Dr. John W. (1925 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Foster, Schlaeger, Sandberg, Armstrong, Anding, Zschernitz, Sundemeyer

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/24/2016

Foster, Dr. John W. (5 September 1925 - 18 August 2016) With Flag

Dr. John W. Foster, Neillsville optometrist passed away Aug. 18, 2016, at the age of 90.

John was born Sept. 5, 1925, in Black River Falls, the son of former Neillsville Mayor and WWI Veteran Leo W. Foster and of Dr. Martha A. Foster, who was one of the first female optometrists licensed to practice in Wisconsin.

He graduated early from Neillsville High School in December 1943 in order to enlist into the U. S. Navy’s V-5 program and participated as a Naval Aviation Cadet in flight training in Iowa City, IA, during the closing years of World War II.

Following his brief military career, he attended college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Following in the footsteps of his mother, he was accepted into Pacific University School of Optometry in Forest Grove, OR. In September 1949, he married Dolores G. Schlaeger of St. Paul, MN, and settled in Thorp, where he began managing his mother’s satellite optometry office.

In 1964, he moved Dolores and family to Neillsville to assume management of his mother’s entire optometric practice. John was active in a number of clubs and social settings through the years, including the Thorp Knights of Columbus, the Thorp and Neillsville Lions Clubs, the American Legion and VFW Post in Neillsville and was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville.

John was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed gardening and caring for his lawn, fishing and boating and also spending time with his family.

John is survived by his wife and five sons: John S. Foster (Karen Sandberg) of Marinette, Jeffrey L. Foster (Cindy Armstrong) of Florence, KY, Dr. Gregory A. Foster (Linda Anding) of Neillsville, Gary H. Foster (Melodie Zschernitz) of Oklahoma City, OK; and Mark L. Foster (Julie Sundermeyer) of Lakeville, MN. He is the grandfather of 11 grandchildren and a great-grandfather of seven great-grandchildren.

A visitation service for Dr. John W. Foster was held at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a Knights of Columbus Rosary Service following. A Memorial Mass took place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. Following the Mass, full Military Honors were rendered by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council. His ashes will be interred at the Neillsville City Cemetery at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center in Owen.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting John’s family with funeral arrangements.