John L. Farwell Sr., 79, of Eau Claire died peacefully Sunday, September 10, 2006, at Woodland Cottage under the watchful and loving care of Northwest Hospice and Woodland Cottage staff. John was born on August 3, 1927, in Minneapolis, MN, an only child of Lawrence S. and Georgiana (Barron) Farwell.\r\nThey moved to Eau Claire when John was seven years of age where he attended local public schools, graduating from Eau Claire Sr. High with the class of "46". On his birthday in 1952, John wed the love of his life, Joyce A. Juroszek in Eau Claire, at Epiphany Lutheran Church.\r\nJohn for a time worked with his father in the family owned Farwell Nursery and Landscaping business, and then worked in sales, finishing out his career in 1991 with 27 years of service with W.H. Hobbs Supply Co. In 1979, he received an award for being the first salesman in the company to reach One Million dollars in sales in a single year.After retiring from Hobbs, John for a time was a courier for Charter Bank of Eau Claire. Until a few months ago, John and Joyce volunteered for the St. Francis food pantry.\r\nJohn had a quick wit and great sense of humor, and always had a story or joke that brought many a laugh to the thousands of people that he met. He loved music and could blow the trumpet like no other. His love was Jazz. He played in several local bands, most recently with the "George Day Trio", where he, George Day, and Hugh Mills entertained many well into the wee hours of the morning. John offered his musical talent to his church for Easter services and to the V.F.W., and to memorial services for fallen Police Officers and Fire Fighters in his playing of "taps", which always brought a tear to ones eye. He is a 50+ year member of Grace Lutheran Church, the Musicians union, Local 30-73 AFM, Eau Claire Lodge #112, the Scottish Rite Valley of Eau Claire, and Zor Shrine of Madison where for many years he was Director of the Zor Drum and Bugle Corps.\r\nJohn is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joyce; his two sons, John L. Jr. (Susan) of Eau Claire, and James M. (Carol) of Woodbury, MN.; four grandchildren, Patti (Sam) Barby and Jamie (Chad) Mowl of Eau Claire, Lisa and James Farwell of Woodbury, MN; five great-grandchildren, Jacob and Abby Mowl, Taylor, Samuel and Lucas Barby all of Eau Claire; other relatives and friends.\r\nWe're going to miss you Dad, and we thank you for all you taught us and for the unconditional love and trust you showed us during our time here together on earth. It was a good ride. We'll see you again on the other side.\r\nVisitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 12th at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church. Masonic rites will be conducted at 6:30 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at Grace Lutheran Church, with Rev. Rolf A. Nestingen officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire. \r\nFamily requests memorials be directed in John's name to Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54703, Northwest Wisconsin Homecare Hospice, P.O. Box 2060, Eau Claire, WI 54702, or the Shriners Crippled Children and Burn Hospitals, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55414.

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