John Fletcher

MADISON- Dr. John Fletcher left this world peacefully at Agrace Hospice center in Madison, Wisconsin on December 31, 2016.
Dr. John Fletcher was born April 4, 1927 in Platteville, Wisconsin. He was the son of Dr. R. Frank Fletcher and Eva Waterbury Fletcher. After graduating from Platteville High School at 17 in 1944, he joined the U.S. Navy and served until the end of WW2 and was honorably discharged.
Dr. Fletcher returned to Platteville, where he enrolled at U of Wisconsin- Platteville. He received a BSc degree and teaching certificate.
Dr. Fletcher wanted to fly, so he joined the U.S. Air Force. While in Gunnery training in Arizona, he became the 6th man to bail out of a plane going faster than the speed of sound and live. His plane blew up 11 seconds after he ejected. He went on to fly air to ground strikes in an F-84 during the Korean conflict. After returning to the U.S., he married his former wife, Elsa Marie Moe in 1955 and this union was blessed with four children; Joel (wife Cheryl), Jay (wife Lynn), Erica Fletcher, and Kristen (husband Tim Mann), as well as 3 granddaughters; Ellerie, Jamie, and Caroline. John returned to U-W-P for additional credits before entering Veterinary school at Oklahoma State University. In 1960 John received his DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree.
Dr. Fletcher worked in a small animal practice in northern Illinois before establishing and operating the Animal Hospital at Hilldale in Madison, Wisconsin for many years.
Dr. Fletcher married the former Luann Martens on December 26, 1975 and she survives him, after they were happily married for 41 years.
Dr. Fletcher went to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service and served as the Supervisory Medical Officer in several cattle slaughter plants in New York state and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dr. Fletcher then transferred to the Wisconsin State Meat Inspection Program and served in several locations in Wisconsin before becoming the head of the State Meat Inspection Program before his retirement.
Dr. Fletcher was a lifelong Master Mason and a member of Zor Shrine in Madison, Wisconsin. A private burial service will be held at Sauk Prairie Cemetery in Sauk City, Wisconsin with a memorial service to be held at a later date.
Memorial may be made to either Agrace Hospice center, Madison, Wisconsin or Zor Shrine in Madison, Wisconsin.


Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434