WAUKESHA - John Wesley Gorsuch, 82, of Waukesha, and formerly of Cambria, died peacefully at his residence surrounded by his family Friday, June 26, 2009.

John was born Aug. 27, 1926, on the family farm, the son of John Wesley and Jessie Hopkins Gorsuch. He attended a local country school and was a 1944 graduate of Cambria High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre, and was discharged in 1946. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, earning his teaching degree in agriculture in 1950. On June 2, 1951, John was united in marriage to Margaret "Peg" Olson at First Presbyterian Church in Cambria. John was employed as an assistant manager at Columbia Canning (Del Monte) in Cambria. In 1973, they moved to Green Bay, where he was plant manager for Larson Canning Co. In 1977, they moved to Waunakee, where he was plant manager for Oconomowoc Canning Co. until 1986. In 1988, he retired from Oconomowoc Canning Co. in Appleton, and then moved back to the village of Cambria in 1995, until moving to Waukesha in 2006, to be closer to his children. John was a volunteer firefighter for Cambria Fire Department, a member and past president of the Cambria Park Board, a charter member of Cambria Kiwanis, and was instrumental with the Kiwanis Club in setting up and working the ski tow on Vaughn road. He was a member of Portage Curling Club and Cambria American Legion Post 401. John was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church in Cambria, having served as trustee, elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher, and chaired many church committees. While residing in Green Bay, John was a member of the Kiwanis and a member of the Congregational Church, where he served on several church boards. While living in Waunakee, John was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Waunakee, having chaired several committees at the same time, and was very involved with the revitalization of the Presbyterian Church and had also been a member of the Waunakee Rotary Club. In his free time, John enjoyed boating, water-skiing, wood-working, and was quick at solving small problems as they came along. John had always been devoted to his family, and during the busy canning seasons, had always found time to spend with his family. In his later years, John enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren.

John is loved and adored by his wife, Margaret "Peg" Gorsuch of Waukesha; two daughters, Margaret Kay Nord of St. Francis, and Kathy (Bob) Matthews of Brookfield; eight grandchildren, Matt (Karen) Nord, Sarah Nord, Josh, Jeremy, Joe, John, Jared, and Melissa Matthews; one brother, Emery "Red" (Valerie "Val") Gorsuch of Portage; two sisters in-law, Betty Gorsuch and Della Gorsuch, both of Cambria; nieces, nephews, several other relatives and dear friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bill and Emerson; one sister, Ruth Malone; and three nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Cambria. The Rev. Kristin Frederich will officiate. Burial will follow in Wyocena Cemetery, with military graveside rites by Cambria American Legion Post 401. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Kratz-Smedema Funeral Home in Cambria, and also from 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, 121 W. Florence St. P.O. Box 217, Cambria, WI 53923.

Kratz-Smedema Funeral Home in Cambria is serving the family.