John “Jack” H. Robinson, 83, of Ontario passed away Saturday, July 23, 2011, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
Jack was born Dec. 1, 1927, to John D. and Eva Ethel (Budde) Robinson in the same bedroom above his father’s hardware store in which he spent most of his life. Jack was a 1945 graduate of Ontario High School. After graduation, he continued working in his father’s hardware store, Robinson Hardware.
Jack was married to Mary E. Bold on Saturday, June 9, 1950. In 1957, Jack and Mary bought the store from his father and later renamed it Robinson True Value Hardware Store. They were involved in the business until their retirement in 1999.
The problems solved at the Robinson Hardware Store often concerned matters other than those of the plumbing and hardware variety; the store was also a valued meeting place in the community. While Jack and Mary were raising their four boys, they were able to combine fun, business and hard work with running the store. They took family vacations to hardware conventions, visiting 29 different states. Jack also was an encouragement to the hardware store owners in nearby cities as they organized to pool merchandise in order to get the materials they needed more efficiently.
Jack worked hard and long hours, and even took on other odd jobs on the side. He always found time to be active and supportive in his church, however, and proudly served as a Sunday School Superintendent, played the organ for services and was active on the council at the Community Baptist Church. He was very civic minded as well, serving on the Vernon County Board for many years, including several years as the board president. Jack was also a member of the original Brookwood School Board, a charter instructor for Hunter Safety, active in the Ontario Fire Department for many years, a member of the Kickapoo Reserve Board and active on the Ontario Village Board.
In more recent days, Jack could be found in front of the store on the “liar’s bench,” a family treasure painted with the saying, “Reserved for hunters, fisherman, and all other liars.” The bench became a landmark in Ontario.
Jack is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary; four sons, Terry (Norma), Doug, David (Brenda) and Timothy (Luanne); 10 grandchildren, Diana (Eric) Waege, Karissa (Ben) Johnson, Amanda, Rachel (Jon) Carlson, Niki (Doug) Haugh, Shayna (Matt) Hamiel, Lynnae, Kari, John and Joseph; eight great-grandchildren; three siblings, Patricia Fredricks, Donna (Tom) Quinn and Richard (Harriet) Robinson; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law Dr. Roy Fredricks; and a nephew, Michael Robinson.
The family would like to express their thanks to those involved in Jack’s care and the kindness that he recently received at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical in La Crosse and Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua.
Funeral services for Jack will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 25, at Community Baptist Church in Ontario. Pastor Bruce Milleman will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4–7 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in Jack’s name to Community Baptist Church in Ontario.
