John G. Sawyer, Jr.

PORTAGE – John G. Sawyer, Jr., age 66, of Portage, WI succumbed to cancer on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Our House in Reedsburg.

John was born to John Sawyer and Elaine (Kind) Sawyer, November 26, 1952 in Waukesha, WI.  He enrolled in the Air Force in March of 1971.  John was deployed to Vietnam for 1 year and 2 days.  After his return, he was employed by the Department of Corrections and worked most of his 27 years of service at CCI in Portage.  John had a passion for hunting, fishing, and bowling.  He was his grandchildren’s biggest fan;  going to many of their sporting events.  He proudly accepted the title of “Silly Grandpa”.

John is survived by his children, Jessica (Mark) Othmer and Nicholas (Kathi) Sawyer;  his beloved grandchildren, Mark II, Jasmine, Paige, Elijah, and Benjamin;  his partners in crime, Norman Sawyer, Jerry (Lisa) Sawyer, and Jeff (Ana) Sawyer;  his nephew, Greg (Holly) Sawyer;  other near relatives and many close friends.  He was preceded in death by Norman and Hilda Kind (maternal grandparents), Elaine Sawyer (mother) and Helen Sawyer (sister-in-law).   

A memorial gathering will be held at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2019.  A Military Honors Ceremony, provided by Portage Area Veterans Honor Guard, will be at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.  Inurnment will be private at a later date.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Our House Senior Living in Reedsburg, and Agrace Hospice Care for their care and support. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.