John,
Just like the song " You are always on my mind".
There isn't a day that goes by that something reminds me of you! Whether it is your funny sense of humor or just on of the things you did or said in the time you were apart of our lives.
We still love you and miss you dearly. Someday we will meet again but it will not be of this world. Today is the 2yr mark of the day we lost you! Believe me, we will never forget!!!
Your Brother In Law,
Dan Reed


I met John when he began working at McDonald's in Eau Claire in the late 80's. We worked the closing shift together on a regular basis and I had the chance to get to know him well during those long shifts. John was a very sensitive, caring, and compassionate man with a wonderful sense of humor.
John would often take on many of my job duties in addition to his own for no reason. He had me spoiled- I never had to clean the men's bathroom when I was working with John. He just automatically did it for me-what a guy!
Working in fast food isn't always fun, but John made it fun for me. he would often do silly things to get me to laugh. I remember one day he sent a tray of cheeseburgers to me from the grill along with a towel. I asked him what the towel was for and he said you'll see. He had put extra ketchup on the cheeseburgers and he just stood there and laughed as I wrapped them. The sound of his laughter is something that I will always remember.
I lost touch with John through my job changes and my move across the state, but I never forgot him! I cared for John very much and he will aways hold a special place in my heart!
Jeanne Cornell

I was “assigned” to be John’s friend in the fall of 2005 and from that point forward he touched my life in many ways. Since his family was out of State John became a guest at many Holiday gatherings, he always gravitated to my grandkids and thoroughly entertained them, whether it be playing pinball with Miles or just hanging out with Chayse.
I really got to know John one Saturday when I held him hostage for about 14 hours as I took care of some customers while we traversed the State. We talked about his childhood, growing up in Wisconsin, his college years and how much he was really starting to enjoy what was happening in his life.
I, as many did, watched John become a very active part of his community, always giving back what was freely given to him. He always had a kind word or a smart comment, but always with a smile and his chuckle. John was hauled around quite a bit until he got a car and once he got that car he never quit returning the favor.
He was taken much too early in life and will truly be missed. I will always be grateful for the time that I was able to spend with him and will carry those memories with me forever.

I was 13 when John was born. Back then, hospitals wouldn't allow "kids" to go and see the newborns, I had to wait until he was brought home. I used to pretend that John and his sister Barb were my children. There I'd be walking with them and pretending, not fooling anyone, but oh my young heart loved those little kids.
I now have a fifty-four year old heart that loves them more than I would ever have thought possible. John's love of life these past three years has been such a joy to watch. Every time I talked with him, he was full of happiness for each day. He had found a purpose and he had found his place.
Thanks to all of you who have touched John's life through the years.
Janice Randen

The memories I have of John are of his always laid back attitude and child like couriosity. John would walk into the room give a big hug to my wife and proceed to settle in and get comfortable and caht sometimes for hours. He is missed!!

Being his sister I have so many memories with him! It is hard to just pick one. I am thinking I will probably be back to share more.
One of our family favorites is playing games after Holiday dinners. The game of Perfection was given by Santa for the Christmas of 2005. After Christmas dinner we broke out the game. We would play and try to beat each others times.
Well, John just knew he could beat all of ours with a little practice! However, none of us adults ended up winning...... Brianna, John's niece, did. She was 11 at the time! Her score BEAT all of us by much time! John contined to practice this game well into the evening. We had so much fun!




Yeah, I don't want to say much about this picture.... our Grandma is NOT happy that our Grandpa is taking this picture (can't imagine why?). However..... notice John in the chair? He is reading a book. Imagine that! He loved to read even when he was younger. Now, I know Grandma is all sorts of mad that I put this picture on the internet!!




John with his niece Brianna knitting on his lap. These two were really inseparable when they were together!! They were either playing cards, watching movies, reading ( John loved to read big novels to Bri..... Swiss Family Robinson is one of the ones Brianna remembers him reading to her when she was really little). To John, reading really indepth things to her, was teaching her. He also taught her how to play chess when she was 5 and 6. This was taken in March of 2005.





Some of Johns school pictures. Yeah.... OK, none of us really looked like the pictures made us look in our school years! But I just love Johns hair with the feathered look. First pic was November 1981. Second pic was October 1982. Last two pics were October 1983. For some reason Dan scanned the last 2 because he thought they were different pics? Yes, they are different sizes.... but they are the same pic..... lol. (I still give Dan an A+! Without him there would be no pics here because I could not figure this out!!




My best memories of John are going camping in Baldwin. And he and I always going to get ice cream at Jone's. There are so many others, We will remember him forever, and we miss him so much there is a big hole in our life!
Barbara Reed
16 years agoOMG!!! He looks so relaxed and soaking up rays!! I love this picture of him!!!