John Russell Sargent
May 12, 1927 - February 16, 2020
Obituary
SUN PRAIRIE- John Sargent, age 92, of Sun Prairie, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Hyland Park. He was born on May 12, 1927, in Freeport, Ill., the son of Earl and Della (Russell) Sargent. John served in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from UW-Madison in 1951. He married Shirley Filer on Dec. 29, 1951, in Madison. John and Shirley settled in Gratiot, Wis., on his parent’s farm and they taught elementary and high school Art Education in the rural country schools in southwestern Wisconsin. After 14 years, John and Shirley moved to Waunakee, and then to Windsor in 1989.
During his career John was a U.S. Postmaster, art teacher and an artist. He created landscapes and rural scenes with watercolor and pencils. John was a Gideon with The Gideons International for most of his life, and a docent for Chazen Museum of Art in Madison. He loved the finer things in life, was a dapper dresser, and loved architecture and fine art. Most of all he loved having meals and spending time with friends and family during the holidays.
John is survived by his children, Jamie (Nesbitt) Coburn and John Sargent; son-in-law, Jeff Rusu; granddaughters, Stephanie Rene' (Beau) Martin and Jasmine Harrison; grandsons, Jonah Egermeier, Jonathan Sargent, Ryan Sargent, Nicholas Sargent and Chris (Leah Rae) Rusu; great-granddaughters, Audrey Harrison, Adalei Martin, Evelyn Martin and Charlotte Rusu; great-grandson, Moses Martin; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; and daughter, Angela Rusu.
A funeral service will be held at CITY CHURCH, 4909 E Buckeye Rd, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial park with a luncheon to follow at the church. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Memorials may be made to City Church and The Gideons International. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Mon Feb 24, 2020 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
City Church (Madison) • 4909 E. Buckeye Road, Madison, WI
Service
Mon Feb 24, 2020 @ 11:00 AM CDT
City Church (Madison) • 4909 E. Buckeye Road, Madison, WI
Photos
Memories
D
davebechtold@gmail.com
Other •
I will miss John very much. He always had a story to tell, a hug to offer, some trouble to cause, and dry humor to share. At his age, it amazed me that he always seemed to be planning an adventure of some sort! I can’t wait to be reunited in heaven with him and Angie. Those will be some good times indeed.
TF
Tammi Alexander, Badger Honor Flight
Other •
The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, John Sargent. We are thankful for his military service and proud to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. on April 22, 2017.
B
bigjiml013@gmail.com
Other •
John and Jamie and family. Sorry to hear of your loss. I have great memories of John and Shirley from my school years. I still have a ceramic mug I made in Shirleys art class in Middle School.
Great Man. Always remember the smile and kind words.
Thinking of you all at this time.
Jim Larson Old Gratiot person
E
Ellen
Other •
So sorry to hear this! Mark and i will miss your visits through the old neighborhood. You always made me laugh.. Mark and Ellen Mckeel
DH
David Halloran
Other •
Spent lots of time at the Sargent house in rural Gratiot. Most sorry to hear. Our sympathies.
The David Halloran family.
JO
Joel and Pat Oman
Other •
What a stalwart Gideon! I could always depend on John to be willing to serve, and dependable in that service. Our loss is heaven's gain.