John Louis Radke, age 71, of Whitehall, died on Thursday, May 30, 2013 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

John was born on December 6, 1941 in Black River Falls to Werner and Eileen (Noffke) Radke. John grew up in the Black River Falls area and graduated from the Black River Falls Senior High School in 1960. John married Shirley Hagen on August 17, 1968 in Black River Falls and they lived in Whitehall the remainder of their lives. Shirley preceded John in death on December 14, 2003.

John worked for 32 years as a driver's license examiner for the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles in Whitehall. His team covered stations in Arcadia, Black River Falls, Cochrane-Fountain City, Galesville and Neillsville. John was named the Outstanding Wisconsin Certified Examiner for 1998 by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. He was also inducted into the Certified Driver Examiner Hall of Fame.

John served in the Army National Guard unit in Black River Falls from 1964-1970. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge and was installed as Worshipful Master of the Whitehall-Blair Masonic Lodge in 1994. John was also an active member of the Whitehall Lions Club and Our Saviour's Lutheran Church where he served as Men's Brotherhood president. He was also an associate member of the Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, AZ.

John enjoyed spending winters in Green Valley, AZ and spent many summers on Nelson Lake near Hayward, WI. Some of his favorite pastimes included hunting, fishing, golfing and watching the Packers, Badgers and the Brewers.
John is survived by his daughter, Renee Radke of Schaumburg, IL; his son, Jeff of Whitehall; two brothers, Douglas (Barbara) of Eau Claire and his twin, Joel (Sharon) of Menomonie; a sister-in-law, Jean Anderson of Merrillan; a brother-in-law, Richard Hagen of Madison; special friend, Lois Peterson Ferries of Black River Falls; an aunt, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery both in Whitehall. Pastor Denise Anderson will officiate. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Hutchins-Stendahl American Legion Post #191.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 9, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall where a Masonic service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.