John W. Carroll, 97, of Eau Claire, died Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at Dove Healthcare in Eau Claire.\r\nHe was born in the town of Maxwell, in Buffalo County on January 2, 1910, the son of Thomas and Emma (Radatz) Carroll. He later moved with his family to Durand in 1912, and then to Wheaton Township in Chippewa County. He graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1928. \r\nJohn started a retail home delivery milk route from the family farm preceding the death of his father. He and his mother later sold the route to Dolly Madison Dairies of Eau Claire. It later became part of Marigold Foods in 1960. John worked his way up the ranks to become Vice President of Marigold Foods/Wisconsin Division. John retired in 1976 after 45 years in the dairy industry.\r\nDuring his dairy career, John was involved in many activities in Eau Claire, chairing a number of dairy programs. He served on the Board of Directors of the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, where he was President in 1964, and later served as an Ambassador. He was also Secretary of the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association in Madison for several years, served on the Board of Directors of London Square Bank (now Alliance Bank), and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Chippewa Valley Museum for many years. John was an active member of the Moose Lodge for numerous years, a member of the Knights of Columbus, John F. Kennedy Council No. 1257, and a charter member of St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire.\r\nJohn married Helen Hingiss, of Owen, WI in 1935, at St. Patrick's Church in Eau Claire. Together, they had seven children: Robert (Ann) Carroll of Eau Claire, James (Chris) Carroll of Mankato, MN, Joanne (Ivan) Hull of Waterloo, IA, Michael Carroll of Peoria, IL, Patty (Ken) Lokken of Eau Claire, Peggy (Michael) Olson of Osceola, WI, and Kathy Carroll of Milwaukee, WI. John and Helen had seventeen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. John's dear friend Enid Cota has been his beloved companion and caregiver for many years. \r\nJohn is preceded in death by his wife, Helen (Hingiss) Carroll; his parents, Thomas and Emma (Radatz) Carroll; five sisters, Irene, Bernida, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Genevieve; four brothers, Roady, Robert, Richard, and Thomas; and a daughter-in-law, JoAnn (Reed) Carroll.\r\nJohn is most remembered for his unceasing devotion to family, his Catholic faith, and strong work ethic.\r\nMass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2007, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church with Father John Schultz officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Eau Claire. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.\r\nThe family requests that all memorials be directed to "All Are Welcome Fund" at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th St., Eau Claire, WI 54703.

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