John Webb

John W. Webb, age 83, of Sheboygan, passed away Sunday, September 13, 2015 of lung cancer. He was born January 16, 1932 in Greenbush, Wisconsin, the son of the late Edith and Harold Webb. He attended Greenbush Grade School until 1941 when his family moved to Sheboygan and then attended US Grant School and was a graduate of Sheboygan North High School, Class of 1950. On November 1, 1952 John married the love of his life, Donna M. Graefe of Sheboygan Wisconsin at St. Luke United Methodist Church and they became partners in life and love in every way from that day forward and were able to celebrate their sixty-second wedding anniversary last November. After their marriage John was employed at Kohler Co. for a short time and then worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for a number of years. On January 6, 1958 John was accepted at the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Department where he served for thirty-three years, retiring on January 6, 1991. He held many positions with the department as Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Highway Safety Coordinator. On April 14, 1984 he was appointed to the position of sheriff by the governor due to the resignation of Sheriff Boeckmann. John ran successfully for election in 1984, 1986, and 1988 thereby serving for over six years as sheriff. He was awarded a number of citations for service to his community and to the law enforcement effort throughout Wisconsin. John had a varied military career starting as a junior in high school when he enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard. He served seven years as an enlisted man and in 1956 he attended the infantry officer's basic course in Fort Benning, Georgia, commissioned as a second lieutenant. He resumed his duties with the National Guard until he left for Vietnam in 1967 where he assumed command of the 442nd Transportation Company. During his tour of duty in Vietnam he was moved up to the position of battalion staff officer until he rotated back to the United States where he was assigned to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin and took over the position of commanding officer of the regular Army Headquarters Detachment. He was released from active duty in 1969 and returned to Sheboygan where he joined the local Army Reserve Unit. He served as battery commander for a short period of time and was promoted to major and was transferred to Milwaukee, WI to become a staff officer in the 3rd Brigade field artillery where he served until being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was reassigned back to Sheboygan to assume command of the 1st Battalion 3rd Brigade field artillery for five years. He again was reassigned to the 84th Division as Inspector General for the next two years. He was promoted to the rank of full Colonel in 1980 and became the commanding officer of the 3rd Brigade until his retirement in 1982. John graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, the Transportation Basic and Advanced Officer Schools and the Army Infantry School. He received many decorations including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Campaign Medal with three battle stars, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. John was active in many community activities. He was an active member St. Luke United Methodist Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher for nineteen years, served on the board of trustees and other various committees. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans Association, the American Legion, VFW Post #9156, the Sheboygan Noon Optimist Club, the Democratic Party, YMCA, Sheboygan Yacht Club, Los Ninos Project in Tijuana, Mexico, and the Snowbirds in Arizona. John and Donna enjoyed traveling around the world and seeing as much as possible for, in Donna's words, "There is so much to be seen." Trips were taken to Germany, England, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Austria, Holland, France, Spain, Thailand, India, Argentina, and Guatemala. John was a member of the local chapter of People to People which he enjoyed so much. Many of the trips were the result of hearing about places around the world and he wanted to see them. John and Donna's involvement began with the People to People Esslingen student exchange program. They hosted a German student for six months and their son returned to Germany for six months. That was the beginning of a long and steady stream of exchange students in their home, a total of nineteen students have lived with John and Donna. One of the greatest memories is that the second generation of students from the same families have arrived. This was a blessing to John who loved each and every one of them as his own. John and Donna have traveled to far off lands to visit each of their former students over the years. John says, "What a wonderful life this has been!" Survivors are his wife of sixty-two years, Donna; a foster daughter, Rhonda (Todd) Watson; grandsons, Brandon (Jessica) Watson, Skylar (Liz) Watson, Gabe Hawes; great-grandsons, Jordan Tollier and Aviar Watson; cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, John Michael in 1975 and a daughter, Anne Louise in 1996. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 623 Ontario Ave., Sheboygan, WI. Reverends Ric Olson and Kathy Reid will be the officiants. Full military honors will be accorded him. Cremation will follow with burial at Wildwood Cemetery at a later date. A time of visitation and support will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to St. Luke UMC Trustees, Noon Optimist Back to School Basics, Vietnam Veteran's Association, or Sheboygan County Cancer Association.