John S. Emerson, 89, of Shawano, passed away at The Cottages under the loving care of the Memory Unit staff and Heartland Hospice on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015.
John was born on Nov. 27, 1925, in Richmond, California, to Lawrence and Myrtle (Olsen) Emerson. John spent his youth on a family farm in northern Wisconsin with his siblings — four sisters and one brother. He attended Northland College in Ashland, Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston, Illinois, and Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois. On May 6, 1950, he was united in marriage to the former Joan Jackson in Ashland.
John taught high school for a year prior to becoming a Methodist minister for several years. He returned to teaching in 1957 in Cazenovia and began his career at Shawano High School in 1958, retiring 31 years later. He taught English, history, law and economics, as well as served as the debate team coach.
After retirement in 1989, John and his wife, Joan, moved to Carson City, Nevada, and returned to Shawano five years later. John helped launch SAFPARC in Shawano, where he was a volunteer worker until his final retirement in 2010. He was active in the Shawano United Methodist Church from the time he moved to Shawano until his death. His favorite hobby was woodworking.
He was a devoted husband to Joan, his wife of 64 years, and a supportive and caring father to four sons and a daughter.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joan, of Shawano; two sons, John S. (Beverly) Emerson, of Old Town, Maine, Michael D. (Marty) Emerson, of Shawano; and a daughter, Lynn, of Shawano. John has nine grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty Kirkpatrick, of Placerville, California, and MaryAnn (Merle) Melling of Summerville, South Carolina.
John was preceded in death by his parents; a son and daughter-in-law, Patrick D. and Terese (Kroner) Emerson, in 1976; a son, Steven L. Emerson, in 2013; as well as a brother, Mickey, and two sisters, Shirley and Beverly.
A memorial service for John Emerson will be held Monday, Feb. 9, at United Methodist Church, Shawano, with Pastor Allen Christensen officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name to SAFPARC would be appreciated.
Mickelson Funeral and Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the Emerson family.
www.mickelsonfs.com
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