This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Colby, Harvey, Millis Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wQJ.2ACEB/657 Message Board Post: Colby, John Whitman December 31, 1917 - February 26, 2005 (Published Tuesday March 01, 2005) JANESVILLE, WI John Whitman Colby, of Janesville, WI, passed away Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Kansas City, MO, on Dec. 31, 1917, to Clyde and Nellie (Millis) Colby. John spent much of his youth living in various eastern states including Ohio, New York and Connecticut. He worked with his father in the heating contracting business, and in 1941 he enlisted in the Army. He proudly served his country in World War II in both the Pacific and in Europe. In 1944 John was part of the D-Day invasion at Normandy. He served in Europe until the end of the war and was honorably discharged in June of 1945. When John returned from the war he married Barbara (Harvey) Colby, the former wife of his brother, Bill, who had been killed in the war. John and Barbara, along with John's parents, moved to Whitewater, WI, shortly after the wedding to start their heating contracting business there. John and Barbara had 4 children: Carol, Joy, Beth and Bill. In 1960 the Col! bys moved to Janesville, WI, where John went to work as a mechanical engineer for R. E. Meinert Company. In 1967 John's wife, Barbara, died unexpectedly. In 1972 John and Jane Le Rette (a Delavan native) were married. John and Jane were married for 32 wonderful years. John often commented about how lucky he was to have two great loves in his life. He and Jane enjoyed traveling around the state and boating with their close friends. John began his own design business in the mid 1970's and designed both heating projects, commercial buildings and some homes. He worked actively at this business until well into his 80's. Jane is currently employed by the Rock County Sheriff's Department. John is survived by his wife, Jane; his daughters, Carol (Bob) Birkholz, Joy Williams and Beth (Bruce) Clark; his son, Bill (Kandy) Colby; his grandchildren: Jenny (Joe) Nunn, Ty Birkholz, Matt Turner, Amy (Paul) Hilt, Josh (Heather) Williams, Evan and Griffen Clark and Bliss Colby; 2 stepgrandch! ildren, Jesse and Lexi Seaver; 4 great-grandchildren: Nichole and Broo ke Nunn, Kaily and Kyle Turner; and his sister, Jane Rasmussen of Grand Rapids, MI. John was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, 3 sisters, a brother and 2 infant grandsons. A visitation is arranged for Thursday, March 3, 2005, at HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME, 1010 N. Wright Rd., Janesville, from 10:00 until 11:30 a.m., with a brief memorial service at 11:30 a.m., with Father J. Daryl Furlong of St. Patrick's Catholic Church officiating. Entombment will follow at Milton Lawns Mausoleum, with military rites by Kienow-Hilt V.F.W. Post #1621. Memorials may be made to HospiceCare, Inc., 3001 W. Memorial Dr., Janesville, WI 53548, or the Humane Society of Rock County, 222 S. Arch St., Janesville, WI 53548.