To watch the live broadcast of John’s memorial service, please click on the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/@ryanfuneralhomemadison7477
The live broadcast will begin 10 minutes before the service begins.
John A. Adams was born on May 17, 1952 in Richland Center to Herbert J. Adams and Donna K. Adams (McKee). He passed away peacefully from lymphoma with his family by his side on Friday, December 15, 2023.
He spent the early years of his life on the family farm in Eagle Corners, Wisconsin. When he was 4 years old, the family moved to Madison, where he made his home from childhood until adulthood. He graduated from Madison East High School in ’71.
He began his work experience at the Kroger on the Square, Heritage House, and Marshall Eerdmans. He then worked as a brakeman/lineman for the Chicago NW Railroad before starting work as a residential electrician for Prairie Electric in 1981. In 1983, he began his electrical apprenticeship with his home shop, H&H Electric. John worked as a journeyman electrician and retired after 28 years in the field. He was a proud member of IBEW Local Electrical Union 159.
In 1978 he met Lynette (Cashell) and they married on September 19, 1981. They bought their home in 1983 in Windsor, Wisconsin where they raised their three daughters. In 2005, they built a second house on family land on the Wisconsin River in Muscoda, where he spent many weekends thinking and tinkering.
John enjoyed the outdoors and spent time camping, fishing, and riding his Harley. He is blessed with the ability to repair almost anything: mechanical, electrical and small engines. He was generally a general Mr. Handman. What he enjoyed most was woodworking and he took pride in making his own furniture among other projects. He could always be counted on to help his daughters fix their cars and house. He loved cats and loved his kittens.
John struggled intermittently with mental illness in his adult life as well as alcoholism. He has been proud to be sober for the past three and a half years with the support of his AA group.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lynette Adams, his daughters Lindsey (Matt) Iwanski, Megan Adams, and Julie Adams, and his three grandchildren, Joanna, William and Alec Iwanski. He is also survived by his brother David (Holly) Adams, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Donna, and his sister, Cathy Starr.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the support they have received over the years from family and friends, especially Windsor neighbours, as well as the carers at Agrace Hospice over the past few weeks, especially Dawn and Krissy.
In lieu of flowers, please share a donation to PBS, Agrace Hospice, or a charity of your choice.
A visitation and memorial service will be held at Ryan Funeral Home, 6924 Lake Rd, DeForest. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM until the time of service at 4:30 PM on Thursday, December 28, 2023. A reception will follow at the DeForest Community Center with dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services
Windsor/Deforest Church
6924 Lake Road
608-846-4250
