John W. Sorensen

John W. Sorensen, age 90, found peace on Friday, November 7, 2014. John was born in Racine on June 22, 1924, son of the late Erwin and Helen (nee: Piehl) Sorensen.

During World War II, he proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. On June 16, 1944, John married his high school sweetheart, Arlene Harris, who preceded him in death this past June 15, 2014. Together they started a grocery business, Johnnies Foods in Wind Lake, Wisconsin in, in 1951 and later converted the store to Johnnies Liquor Mart. They retired in 1980 and moved back to their hometown of Racine, WI.

During his time in Wind Lake, John was instrumental in initiating many projects including: the Wind Lake Street Fair, Wind Lake Recreational Association, creation of the first Post Office and the first bank in town, and placement of the first stop-and-go lights at the corner of Hwy 36 and Loomis Road. He was the first president of Wind Lake’s Chamber of Commerce, a founding member of the Lion’s Club and a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge. Above all, John was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed.

He leaves behind his sons, Tom, Jay (Karen); sister-in-law, Phyllis Harris; and eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at 11 a.m. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until time of services at 11:30 a.m.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Allay Home and Hospice Services for their loving care given to John and family members. We also want to thank Waterford Senior Memory Care and their dedicated staff for the great care they have provided for our parents.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI (262) 634-7888