Tomah Journal - Obituaries

John D. Singleton

John D. Singleton

John D. Singleton, age 81, of Camp Douglas, WI, was at home recovering from open heart surgery when he was stricken and rushed to Tomah Memorial Hospital where he died on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. He was the son of Ralph and Ann Singleton and was born on Aug. 2, 1926, at home in Camp Douglas. John was a graduate of the Camp Douglas High School in 1944. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy Seabees in 1944, where he served in the South Pacific during WWII. He then attended the University of Wisconsin in 1946 in Madison where he met Mary M. McNeill of Janesville and they were united in marriage on Aug. 17, 1947, in Janesville. John’s great-great-grandfather, James Douglas, began a lumber camp in 1864; thus started the village of Camp Douglas.

John lived a long and full life. As a third generation owner-proprietor of Singleton’s Store in Camp Douglas, John cared for his customers and neighbors in the tradition of his grandfather (a humanitarian during the depression), E.D. Singleton. John was known by many for his friendliness and helpful nature, always ready with a recipe or to lend an ear or hand to a neighbor. His mother, Ann Singleton, known to all in the village as Grandma Ann, ran the store with attention to detail and personality until her death in 1976. John sold the store in 1978 and became a full-time rural mail carrier. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and boating. John served his community in many ways, serving on the Camp Douglas Village Board, establishing the first EMT training program in Juneau County, the Village of Camp Douglas Fire Department, where he was chief for 20 years, the Camp Douglas Ambulance, the Lemonweir Valley Telephone Board of Directors, a member of the 40 et 8, American Legion Post 133, the Lions Club, and the Camp Douglas Sportsman’s Club, where he excelled in shooting trap.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary, of Camp Douglas, and four children, John D. (Claudia) Singleton Jr. of Black River Falls, Elizabeth (John) Boltik of Lake Wales, FL, Robert (Carol) Singleton of Tomah and Susan (Jamie) Alexander of Palmyra, and by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; three cousins, Phillip (Elizabeth) Hendrickson of Green Bay, Theresa Stamm of Mesa, AZ, and Joey Haase of Lompoc, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, James in 1955 and Richard in 1956.

Funeral services with military honors will be held Monday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Camp Douglas with Rev. Stephanie Taylor Homan presiding. Relatives and friends can call at the Hare Funeral Home in New Lisbon on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. and at the church Monday from 10 a.m. until time of the services. Private family interment will be at a later date.

The Hare Funeral Home assisted the family with services. Online condolences and information available at www.harefuneralhome.com.