Major John F. Werner

WAUNAKEE-After a difficult illness, Major John F. Werner, age 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 17, 2013 at the Waunakee Manor in Waunakee. John was the first of 12 children born to John Frank and Evelyn (Lawson)Werner on May 17, 1930. He lived in Detroit and graduated from Wilbur Wright High School with Honors in 1949. John was a draftsman for Tucker automobile before entering Officers Training School with the Salvation Army. He was commissioned June 16, 1952. He assisted at Hillsdale, MI and Detroit Temple until June 1954 when he married Minerva Mays. They served together as Corps officers and city Coordinators for 23 years and for 13 years in The Adult Rehabilitation Center. John built two Corps buildings, one in Adrian and one in Jackson, MI. He was a volunteer chaplain at the Jackson prison for ten years. He served on the officers Commission from 1972 to 1978. They were blessed with five children and nine very special grandchildren. Minerva was promoted to Glory April 1990 in Peoria, IL. John then assisted at the Chicago Central Adult Rehabilitation Center until he married Marilyn Chase in March 1992. They served together in the Adult Rehabilitation Centers until their retirement. John and Marilyn retired to Florida where they attended the Lakeland Corps. John played in the band and sang in the songsters. They moved to Madison, WI in February 2006 to be next to family. John is survived by his wife, Marilyn; five children, William (Cindy)of Dearborn Heights, MI, David (Kris) of Mt. Prospect, IL, Ruth (Rodney)Johnson of Arvada, CO, Patricia (Ben) Kermmoade of Lincoln, NB and Elizabeth (William) Lowe of Canton, MI; grandchildren, Dayna, Lisa, William Jr, Heather, Cheryl, Michelle, Anna, Amy, Ericka, Taylor, Vickie, Nathan; two great-grandsons Robert and Christian; and his siblings, Evelyn, Mary Carter, Betty, Alice Wright, Janet (Larry) Hegwood, Tom Werner, Ted Werner, Charles (Denise) Werner. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Albert, sisters, Dorothy and Shirley and his first wife, Major Minerva Werner. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton at 10:30 AM on (TODAY) Thursday, June 20, 2013 with Major Loren Carter presiding. Burial will be in Glen Oak Cemetery, Hillside, IL. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave 608-831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com Cemetery: Burial will be in Glen Oak Cemetery, Hillside, IL. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton at 10:30 AM on (TODAY) Thursday, June 20, 2013 with Major Loren Carter presiding.