Philip “John” H. Downing, 85, of Ontario passed away Monday, March 12, 2018, at Norseland Nursing Home with his loved ones by his side.
John was born Jan. 12, 1933, to George and Daisy (Lamb) Downing on the home farm in the town of Sheldon, Monroe County. In March 1953, John began his lifelong service to our country by joining the U.S. Army. He was trained as a high-speed radio operator and became fluent in Morse code. He was stationed in Germany. After being honorably discharged, John became an active member of local American Legion and VFW organizations in the area in which he lived. He was proud to be commander of the Ontario American Legion for many years. John was a great advocate for veterans and always available to assist them in a time of need.
On Nov. 23, 1956, John married his best friend, Joyce Dunwald. He began working on mink ranches in Ontario and Verona. John later took a job with Madison Silo Company and eventually became a skilled carpenter and member of the Carpenters’ Union. This brought him back to Ontario, where he worked for the Boldon Brothers Construction and eventually at the Veterans Administration Hospital in its maintenance department until his retirement.
John was a happy, humble man. While times in his life were not always easy, he remained a man of strong faith and integrity. John and Joyce were faithful members of the Brush Creek Lutheran Church. He was the finest husband, father and friend anyone could ever ask for. His presence in the town of Ontario and surrounding communities is going to be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Joyce; his children, David (Coleen) Downing of Verona, Wis., Phylis Dalldorf of Camanche, Iowa, and Kathryn (William) Nasseth of Stoddard, Wis.; a sister, Dorothy “Dot” Mossholder of Dell, Wis.; his grandchildren, Troy (Karla) Downing, Tonia (Tony) Bastian, Amy Stuart, and Ethan and Evan Dalldorf; his great-grandchildren, Travis, Nathan, Ryan, Mackenzie, Payton, and Piper; along with many amazing nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his two daughters in 1977, Dawn and Jody; his brothers, Clyde, Raymond, Roy, George Jr., Kenneth, Max and Herbert Downing; and a sister, Glida (Downing) Melby.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Ontario Community Hall. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow at Hilltop Rest Cemetery in Ontario. Family and friends are invited for visitation Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the community hall. Memorials may be given in Philip “John’s” name to the Ontario American Legion Post or to the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
