John E. Hassmann

John E. Hassmann, age 84 of Wautoma, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 at his daughter's home in Marble Falls, Texas.

John was born June 18th, 1937 in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Eugene and Ruth Hassmann.  He married Pat Perry of Mount Morris on August 14th, 1960. Together they celebrated 61 years of marriage and raised four wonderful children.

John grew up in Milwaukee and moved to Silver Lake, Wautoma at the age of 13.  He graduated from Wautoma High School in 1955.  He attended Oshkosh State College and graduated with a Math & Physics degree in 1959.  Desiring to serve his country, he joined the United States Air Force and served 20 years from May 1960 to July 1980 and retired at the rank of Major.  John was a decorated pilot and flew combat missions during the Vietnam War, and was awarded 7 air medals.  He loved flying his RF-4, but also flew many other types of aircraft.  While in the Air Force, John and Pat took their family to multiple locations around the world for adventures in Massachusetts, California, Texas, South Carolina, France, Germany, Virginia, Japan, and finally retiring at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas.  Staying active in the workforce, John joined up with Texas Education Agency as a computer programmer, working to make the Texas education system smoother for the teachers and administrators.

After 20 years in Austin and the children all grown up, John and Pat decided to fully retire and move back to Wautoma, Wisconsin.  John was an active member of the Wautoma Kiwanis Club for 20 years, and enjoyed working at the Waushara County Fair, Green Bay Packer games, food drives, and Waushara County Senior Home Repairs helping multiple senior citizens across the area with home safety and improvement projects.  Some of John’s favorite pastimes were morning coffees, afternoon saunas, playing racquetball, participating in several exercise groups and dining with friends.  John had a strong love for his country, community, church, family and friends and his memories will be cherished by all who knew him. 

John is survived by his wife Pat; his four children, Jeff, Lisa England, Denise Horrigan (Chuck) and Steve (Robin); seven grandchildren, Jenny, Kate, Daniel (Andrea), Tim, Courtney, Tori and Austin; one great-grandchild Alex; four sister-in-laws Nancy West, Susan (Mike) Rios, Jean (Dale) Armstrong, and Carol (Dennis) Lauer; two brother-in-laws George (Maureen) Perry, and Francis (Linda) Perry; further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Bob; four sister-in-laws Bev Hassmann, Linda Lauer, Kathie Coerper, and Jane Simonson; brother-in-law, Eugene West; and son-in-law MSG Robert Horrigan.

Major John E. Hassmann earned many accredited military awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (12 oak leaf clusters), Air Force Longevity Service Awards (3 clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (2 service stars), Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Donations can be made at: http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?fr_id=39300&px=7379238&pg=personal

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