John L. Griesel

John Lawrence Griesel passed away on November 11, 2017, at the age of 74. John, the son of Margaret Ethyl (Fry) Griesel and A. (Anthony) Lawrence Griesel, was born on June 21, 1943, at St. Luke’s Hospital, which was subsequently torn down, in Chicago, Illinois. John attended Alexander Hamilton Grammar School and Lakeview High School in Chicago, then matriculated to the University of Kentucky, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. Thus following in the footsteps of his Grandfather Henry Skillman Fry (BSME, 1904) and his mother (BSME 1930).

The day of his commencement, John was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army where he served three years on active duty including one year in Viet Nam, where for his work John was awarded the Army Commendation and Bronze Star Medals. John was separated from active duty in August 1970 having been promoted to the rank of Captain.

John moved to Madison where he earned his registration as a Professional Engineer and worked for the Madison Gas and Electric Company for 35 years aiding them with the design, construction, commissioning, operation, and repair of transmission and distribution substations. After retiring from MGE in 2005, John worked for Realtime Utility Engineers for a couple of years before retiring and moving to Appleton to be closer to his wife’s family and one of their children’s families.

John spent 20 years as a boy and young adult in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle as a boy and earning the Wood Badge as a scout leader.

John is survived by his wife of 41 years, Janet Marie (Keen) Griesel, two sons, and four grandchildren; Jeffrey Lawrence, his wife Lisa, and his son Anthony and Jereme Lawrence, his wife Crystal and their children Keegan, Aodhan, and Brigid.

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 am on his birthday, Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 North Richmond Street. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 9:00 am until the time of service. Inurnment will take place at Central Wisconsin Veteran Cemetery, King, WI.

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