Dr. Wesley R. Johnson

Dr. Wesley Johnson, 81, died peacefully at his home on Marco Island, Fla., on Dec. 15, after a happy and active life.

"Doc" Johnson was a World War II veteran of the European Theater as an Army Air Force pilot and received four Bronze Stars, the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Born in Madison, Minn., he lived most of his life in Greenfield. He studied premed at Marquette University. After the war, he graduated from the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. He practiced as a podiatric surgeon for 33 years, with an office practice in Bay View. He served as a chief of staff at New Berlin Memorial Hospital and as president of the Wisconsin State Society of Podiatric Medicine. He was an avid hunter and trap and skeet shooter.

He lived on Marco Island for 20 years where was an active member of the Rotary Club of Marco Island and Post 6370 of the Marco Island Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

His wife of 54 years, Patty Park, preceded him in death two years ago.

He is survived by three children, Mark Johnson (Debbie Renick) of St. Louis, Lisa Johnson Wolter (John) of Marina del Rey, Calif. and Eric Johnson (Susan Hoff) of San Diego, Calif. He also leaves two grandchildren, Matthew Sommers (Melissa) of Chicago and Kit McFarland (Tom) of Lafayette, Colo.

A celebration of his life will be held in late January at San Marco Catholic Church in Marco Island.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to an organization dear to his heart: Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge, SD 57770-2100.