John Francis Walz age 94 passed away peacefully at home in Columbus, WI on Tuesday April 5, 2016. John was born in Lynxville, WI, March 22, 1922 to Frank and Loretta (Shoemaker) Walz. He had 2 brothers Thomas and George, and one sister Elizabeth. John was married to Caroline Marie Duha on February 22, 1943. They had twelve children. He was divorced and remarried to Binnie J. Summers on Oct. 18, 1980. Binnie had 5 children. John was truly a "Jack" of all trades. He was a farmer, a logger, a machinist for 20 years working at Louis Allis Corporation in Milwaukee, plus numerous other occupations throughout the years. Shortly after WWII he and his brother purchased the first of the four airplanes he would own during his lifetime, thus started his love for flying. His hobbies included woodworking, billiards, bowling, fishing and playing cards. He lived his life to the fullest. He worked hard and played harder. John was a member of St. Jerome's Catholic Church and was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Caroline, his second wife Binnie; his two brothers Thomas and George and his sister Elizabeth; four sons, Gerald, Nicholas (Vietnam), Allen and infant Phillip; one infant daughter Charlotte and one step daughter Dawne Lilteich; 11 grandchildren ,one step grandchild, and 4 great grandchildren. He is survived by seven children. John (Margaret) of Columbus, Robert (Susan) Wauzeka and Jeanne (Roy) Zimmerman all of Maplewood, MN, Mary (Vincent) Manning of Eastman, WI, Margaret (Daniel) Sprosty of Steuben, WI, Janice (Calvin) Kramer of Eastman, WI, and Kay (Mark) Bird of Hillsboro, Oregon; two daughters-in-law Donna Walz of Lacrosse and Becky Martin of Wauzeka; two step sons Michael Werner and Scott Werner both of Milwaukee, two step daughters Mary Daniels of Sheboygan, Leanne (David) Wroblewski of Waukesha; 80 grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren, 290 great grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass was held at 11:30 A.M., with visitation beginning at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH, Columbus. Rev Steve Kortendick officiated. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 15, 2016 at ST. WENCESLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH in Eastman, WI with burial in the church cemetery. Friends called on Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 4:30 PM until 8:00 PM at the Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien where a rosary at 7:00 PM was held.