John 'Jack' Elliott
John “Jack” Elliott, age 99, of Marquette, passed on peacefully on May 28, 2023, at home.
Jack was born on the family farm outside of Blue River, Wis., on June 4, 1923, the son of Corliss and Elsie Elliott. He graduated from Blue River High School and enlisted in the Navy in 1942. He completed his training in Idaho, and was sent to Long Beach Calif., where he was assigned to the USS California as an anti-aircraft gunner, and was involved in several major WWII battles while in the South Pacific Theater. While home on leave when his ship was in for repairs, he reacquainted himself with “that girl from the other grade school’s softball team,” Pat. After his discharge from the Navy, he married Iretta “Pat” Clark on his birthday, June 4, 1947. Together they had four children, John, Steven, Monica “Teaka” and Julie.
After the war, Jack worked for his brother Clyde at his welding shop in Richland Center, Wis., where he learned the welding trade that would guide his career. He went on to get his welding license from the La Crosse Vocational School and later worked for Turner Construction in Boscobel for over 20 years. After the business folded, Jack and Pat bought the Gambles Hardware store in Columbus, Wis., and owned it for four years. The family lived in Portage, Wis., before moving to Marquette in 1971, where Jack was a welding foreman at Bituma-Stor for 40 years. He never wanted to retire, so he went to work for Moody’s Trucking in various capacities before finally retiring at the age of 89.
Jack was a lifelong American Legion member and former commander for the local Marquette Post 305.
He loved fishing and always came home with a story. He his enjoyed bowling and was also quite the card shark. He was a true green and gold Packers fan and cheered on the Brewers, but he ditched the Badgers for the Hawkeyes. He has had many furry friends over the years and each one was his favorite.
Jack is survived by his wife Iretta “Pat” Clark Elliott and son Steven L. (Donna) Elliott of Portage, Wis.; son-in-law Jon Ayers of McGregor and daughter-in-law Aura Elliott of Hedgesville, W.V.; nine grandchildren, Korey (Anja) Ayers, Abby (Todd Wilhelm) Ayers-Martin, Steven J. (Lisa Bowers) Elliott, Jamie Elliott, Randy (Trina) Elliott, Aaron (Abby) Elliott, Jessica (Nathan) Hess, Dana (Paul) Gordon and Dacia (Kory) Warrington; 23 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents Corliss and Elsie; five siblings, Clyde, Lloyd, Bubby, Gerald and Hazel; and his children, John Eldon Elliott, Monica “Teaka” Ayers and Julie Abildtrup.
Memorial services will be held at Grau Funeral Home in McGregor at 11 a.m. on June 10, with Pastor Hanson officiating. A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Marquette Bar & Cafe in Marquette.
The family would like to thank the many family members and friends for their loving support along with the special care given at Great River Care Center during his stay.
