March 22 1943 June 22 2020
John’s Obituary John Thomas Oxley, age 77, of Sanborn, went to his heavenly home on June 22, 2020, after battling Alzheimer’s disease for many years. John was born on March 22, 1943, in Rockford, Illinois to Ross and Margaret (Ledyard) Oxley, the third of seven children. He grew up in northern Wisconsin and graduated from Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua in 1961. John received the gift of Holy Baptism and was confirmed in Christ on April 13, 1961 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Minocqua. He started his higher education at Gogebic College in Ironwood, Michigan, where he played basketball, before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1961. Following a medical discharge, John worked a variety of jobs before enrolling in Ashland County Normal. It was there that he met Martha Paavola. John and Martha were married at St. Paul Lutheran Church on June 17, 1967. Together they were blessed with four children. John received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from UW-Stevens Point, and completed his Master’s Degree in Administration from UW-Superior in 1976. John was an educator at heart. His teaching career took him to schools in Bowler, Sayner, Land O’Lakes, and Waupaca. John served as principal in Elroy-Kendall-Wilton and Wittenburg, before advancing to district superintendent in Phelps and DeSoto. He retired from education in 1993. In his post-retirement years, he held jobs as a carpenter, baker, and yacht builder. John loved to travel, with his favorite destination being Yellowstone National Park. His other interests included reading, storytelling, whistling and singing. Many enjoyed his gift of song through his participation in the Barbershoppers, the Circuit Riders gospel quartet, church and from behind the wheel of a car. John is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Martha; four children, John (Jennifer) Oxley, Julie Oxley-Scott, Laura (Jamie) Bauknecht, and Steven (Rebecca) Oxley; eight grandchildren, Stephanie, Noah, Lauren, Nathan, Madelyn, Kevin, Sarah and Aili; five great-grandchildren, Aubrie, Bentley, Isaac, Natalie and Sophie; four brothers, Roland (Anna) Oxley, Phillip (Linda) Oxley, Justin (Polly) Oxley, and Lynn (Tami) Oxley; a sister, Maribeth Conner; a brother-in-law, Stanley Robbins; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jackie Robbins. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at 2:00 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, in Marengo. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place in the Maple Grove Cemetery, in Marengo. The Roberts Funeral Home is assisting the family. John’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Court Manor Memory Care in Ashland. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Oxley March 22 1943 June 22 2020.
Bratley Funeral Home – Washburn
Death notice for the town of: Washburn, state: Wisconsin