MOUNT HOREB - John Jerome Ovadal, 85, of Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, went to be with the Lord early April 11, 2009.
John was born March 8, 1924 in Madison, Wisconsin to Nels and Clara (Parks) Ovadal. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1942. During WWII John served his country in the 8th Air Force. He flew 11 combat missions over occupied Europe as a B-17 tail gunner. On January 29, 1944, John's plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner. He spent the next 15 months in three German POW camps before being liberated by American ground forces under General George Patton. During his time as a POW John endured two forced marches, including the infamous "Blizzard March." In 1949, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Air force and served as a gunnery instructor during the Korean War. After serving in WWII, he returned home, met his beautiful bride and married the former Rachel Heasty on July 30, 1945. He farmed and also worked as a U.S. Letter Carrier until retiring. Then, he owned and operated a self-service gas station for many years in Mt. Horeb, WI. On May 17, 1976, John was born again when he trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Shortly thereafter, John and Rachel joined with several others in founding what would become Mt. Horeb's Evangelical Free Church. He later was active in the Sound Doctrine Fellowship of Mt. Horeb.
He is survived by six children: John (Betsy) Ovadal of Watertown, Wisconsin, Kristine (Jerry) Pederstuen of Baldwin, Wisconsin, Ralph (Linda) Ovadal of Monroe, Wisconsin, Paul (Shannon) Ovadal of Blanchardville, Wisconsin, Ann (Eric) Vande Zande of Owatonna, Minnesota and Todd (Kristin) Ovadal of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; 17 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; his sister, Mabel (Ovadal) Herrick of Clearwater, Florida; his brother, Alfred (Juanita) Ovadal of McFarland, Wisconsin; and several nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
He will be greatly missed for his courage, stable love, and strength of character.
John was preceded in death by Rachel, his wife of nearly 60 years, and a nephew, Gary Herrick.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at New Hope Evangelical Free Church in Mt. Horeb, WI with Pastor Kerry Dunn officiating. Burial and full military honors will be at Mt. Horeb Union Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at ELLESTAD CAMACHO FUNERAL HOME, 500 N 8th St., Mt. Horeb, WI.
www.ellestadfuneralhome.com
(608) 437-5077
John was born March 8, 1924 in Madison, Wisconsin to Nels and Clara (Parks) Ovadal. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1942. During WWII John served his country in the 8th Air Force. He flew 11 combat missions over occupied Europe as a B-17 tail gunner. On January 29, 1944, John's plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner. He spent the next 15 months in three German POW camps before being liberated by American ground forces under General George Patton. During his time as a POW John endured two forced marches, including the infamous "Blizzard March." In 1949, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Air force and served as a gunnery instructor during the Korean War. After serving in WWII, he returned home, met his beautiful bride and married the former Rachel Heasty on July 30, 1945. He farmed and also worked as a U.S. Letter Carrier until retiring. Then, he owned and operated a self-service gas station for many years in Mt. Horeb, WI. On May 17, 1976, John was born again when he trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Shortly thereafter, John and Rachel joined with several others in founding what would become Mt. Horeb's Evangelical Free Church. He later was active in the Sound Doctrine Fellowship of Mt. Horeb.
He is survived by six children: John (Betsy) Ovadal of Watertown, Wisconsin, Kristine (Jerry) Pederstuen of Baldwin, Wisconsin, Ralph (Linda) Ovadal of Monroe, Wisconsin, Paul (Shannon) Ovadal of Blanchardville, Wisconsin, Ann (Eric) Vande Zande of Owatonna, Minnesota and Todd (Kristin) Ovadal of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; 17 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; his sister, Mabel (Ovadal) Herrick of Clearwater, Florida; his brother, Alfred (Juanita) Ovadal of McFarland, Wisconsin; and several nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
He will be greatly missed for his courage, stable love, and strength of character.
John was preceded in death by Rachel, his wife of nearly 60 years, and a nephew, Gary Herrick.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at New Hope Evangelical Free Church in Mt. Horeb, WI with Pastor Kerry Dunn officiating. Burial and full military honors will be at Mt. Horeb Union Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at ELLESTAD CAMACHO FUNERAL HOME, 500 N 8th St., Mt. Horeb, WI.
www.ellestadfuneralhome.com
(608) 437-5077