John C Blake

SSG John Charles Blake,  Age 77,  passed away peacefully on Thursday,  November 26 from long battle with End Stage Renal disease, with his family at his bedside at Agrace Hospice In-Patient Facility. 

He was born on October 26, 1943 to Edna Elaine Blake in Chatham, Ontario.   

He graduated from Phoenix Union High School with his GED in 1960 

On July 11, 1979 he received his American Citizenship. 

John was married 3 times to the same lady, Barbara Jo (mom).  They had eloped to Tijuana, Mexico twice and then married in the Methodist Church August 6, 1958.  He was 15 and she was 16 years old.  Barbara’s, dad, Irwin, did not like my dad at all.  When they would go on dates, his buddy would go get Barbara from the house and meet down the road.  Love at 1st sight.  Married for 58 years until her passing in 2016.  They have 3 daughters. 

John had joined the Army on October 20, 1960 and retired on October 20, 2003.  During his time with the Army and the National Guard, he had received many Army Achievement Medals as a Military Policeman. September 1987, Detachment 1, 32nd Military Police Company and the Wisconsin Army National Guard,  Serving, his unit with hot food when the stove broke down in the field.  He was noted for his Go to Attitude and Compassion for his Units.  He deployed to Germany in 1986 for training purposes, which they did more touring than working due to the weather.   

John worked at Arizona State Mental Hospital as a cook from 1962 to 1965, in the Army as a Cook from 1960 to 2003, and Kussow Construction Houston, TX from 1965 to 1970 as a Carpenter. Divine Word Seminary in East Troy from August 1970 to August 1990 as a Cook:  With his history of cooking, he did not need to follow the directions or measure his ingredients, he can eyeball it and his meals always turned out great.  He used to make homemade bread at the Seminary for the Priests and Students. 

His Hobbies were Fishing with his best friend, Larry Hooverson (which I called them the Odd couple) Camping with his daughters, Karen and Patty, and grand and great grandkids.  He would take the grandchildren on trips when they were younger. 

You would seem him dressed in his jeans with a western belt, western shirt, suspenders, cowboy boots and his Cowboy hats or some kind of hat, all year round 

He is survived by his children, Susan Gruehn (Phil), Patricia (Jerry) van West, Karen Blake; Grandchildren Cassandra Matrick  (Dale), ( 5 great-grandchildren William, Zarcona, Dominik, Yohan, Nikoli) ; Erica Newkirk (2 great Children  Erika Ayala and Brett Newkirk), Tiffany Fatla  (Adam)(3 great-grandchildren: Jacob, Kassidy, and Lucas);  Erin ( 5 great-grandchildren; Nathan, Natalie, Nolan, Noah, Nico, and 1 honorary Great Grandchild Ja'Quese)... companion Posey (cat)   Siblings: Sister Gail (Stan) Jones,  half-sister Cecil (Burt), Many nieces and nephews and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his best friend, wife and mother Barbara,  Great Grandbaby Angel, Mother,  Edna, Brothers Father William Blake (Billy), Baby Jackie, Sisters Sarah, and Cherry. 

Visitation will be held from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on Thursday, December 17th at Joseph E Sass 1019 W Oklahoma Ave,  Milwaukee. The Military Service will be held at 1pm at the Veteran Memorial Cemetery 21731 Spring St, Union Grove, WI 53182  

Mask will be required at both sites. 

The Family would like to extend a special Thank You to Dr. Kathryn Lilley for her care and compassion with our Dad. I would like to thank my co-workers who had supported me (Karen) through the last 4 years, Sarah RN at Agrace Hospice and the Team at Agrace Hospice In-Patient in Madison for the Caring and the Respect of our Dad.  Thank you Dr. Stewart in Nephrology and the Fresenius Dialysis for his care while on Dialysis. 

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