John Francis Wade

Visitation is at Oak Lawn Funeral Home from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, with services to immediately follow with Father Eugene Casserly officiating. Inurnment to be determined at Barrancas National Cemetery-Columbarium Shelter “B”.

A gathering for family and friends to honor John will be held immediately following services. Light sandwiches and hor d’oeuvres will be served.

John was born in Sigourney, Iowa, on September 15, 1945 to Francis and Marion (Long) Wade. He attended Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and recently was able to attend his 50th anniversary for the class of 1963. He married Nancy (Fortner) Wade on September 15, 1990, in Cedar Rapids, IA. He worked as a machinist/foreman for Rockwell Goss for over 20 years. He worked at V&L Tool in Waukesha, WI, and at Machine Tool Masters and Performance Machining in Pensacola, FL. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in the United States Marine Corps and was awarded the National Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Rifle Marksman Badge. He also received a certificate of patent for his contribution to the technical and engineering accomplishments of Rockwell Graphic Systems.

John semi-retired in 2009 and in his spare time he enjoyed fishing (both at Joe Patti’s and off the pier in Pensacola Beach. He also tinkered in his garage with his woodworking skills and new inventions he came up with randomly. Not only working in his garden, he built his own greenhouse and grew his own banana tree although the tropical storm took down the tree. He loved to grill and smoke meats of all kind and made many Saturday night moonlit dinners for him and his wife...ever the romantic!!!

John is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Marion, a brother, Bob, and sister, Micki.

John is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Nancy of Pensacola, FL, two daughters, Danette Wade and Chris Wade of Cedar Rapids, IA; two sons, Daniel Wade (Nikki) of Olwein, Iowa, and Joseph Wade (Irina) of Chicago, IL; four stepdaughters, Linda Stephenson (Al) of Pensacola, FL, Rebecca Dodson (Bryan) of North Myrtle Beach, SC, Tracy Butler (Mark) of Pensacola, FL, and Stephanie Dahms (Chad) of Pensacola, FL; two sisters, Karen Allen of Houston, TX, and Meri Wade of Cedar Rapids, IA; 15 grandchildren, Nicki, Angel, and Cody of Cedar Rapids, IA, Kaylynn and Nicholas of Olwein, IA, Jennifer and Bryan of Cedar Rapids, IA and Peoria, IL, Jamie and Tabitha of Cedar Rapids, IA, Lindsay and Ali of Los Angeles, CA, and Pensacola, FL, and Jasmine, Courtney, Jordan, and Tyler of Mayville, WI, and Pensacola, FL; and numerous great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are appreciated. The family of John wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Sacred Heart Hospital for their loving support and care.