John Leo Walkowicz

1946-2023

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of John Leo Walkowicz on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. John died peacefully at Aspirus Hospital in Medford. He was 77 years of age.

A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Stetsonville. Military rites will follow the service provided by the Medford Area Military Honors Team.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the church.

John was born Aug. 29, 1946 in Stevens Point to John F. and Margaret (Izral) Walkowicz. He lived in Almond on his family farm until he graduated high school and joined the United States Air Force in 1967. He earned the rank of Sergeant where he designed boilers for Navy ships that continue to be used today. After his retirement from the Air Force in 1971, John was a civil engineer at Conseco. In 1983, he became a real estate agent at Horizon Realty and later started Rural Insurance and Farm Bureau in Medford until his retirement in October 2010.

One of John’s greatest passions was being a pilot and instructor in Medford with a flight career of over 40 years. As a veteran, he participated in the annual Veterans Day celebrations by flying his plane over the Mill Pond and dropping a wreath for the commemorative ceremony. John also helped local law enforcement with flight search and rescue as a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Besides his love of flying, he loved to golf, hunt, fish, bowl, fix anything his kids broke, and play cribbage.

He was married to Sally (Mankowski) Walkowicz in 1968, had five children together, and later divorced. He married Jan Dehne in 2013 and lived in Ogema until his death.

He is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Jan Dehne of Medford; siblings, Ed Walkowicz of Waukesha, Paul Walkowicz of Stevens Point, Jim Walkowicz of Calif., and Dave Walkowicz of Almond; children, Tanya (Jesus) Hurst of Seattle, Wash.; Lt. Colonel Tiffany (Dave) Cunningham, stationed in Mons, Belgium, Dr. Natasha Walkowicz Shea of Warwick, N.Y., Sherry (Blake) Huber of Boise, Idaho, and Christopher (Michelle) Walkowicz of La Crosse; grandchildren, Savanna and Sophia Shea, Henry, Juliette and Lilah Walkowicz, Andrew and Aria Huber; step-children, Mary Dehne of Medford, Emily Dehne and Brian Leach, both of Eau Claire; step-grandchildren, E4 Senior Airman Aurora Dehne of Ariz., and Lily and Peyton Emmerich of Medford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John F. and Margaret Walkowicz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the Medford VFW.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.

Paid Obituary 145301