John "Doug" Elliott

John D. "Doug" Elliot 91, of Iron Mountain, formerly of Lake Geneva passed away on May 8, 2016 in Norway, MI at Evergreen Meadows Memory Care Center. Doug was born August 19, 1924 in Oconto Falls, WI. He was the eldest son of Howard and Alma (Rifenberg) Elliott. His descendants came to this country from England in 1637. They lived in the New England Region before moving into New York State. During the Civil War times they came to Wisconsin. His great-great grandparents John and Almira Volk Founded his home town of Oconto Falls, WI Doug graduated from Oconto Falls High School in 1942 and from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1948. He had major in Journalism and minor emphasis on language in both Spanish and Latin and minor in Political Science. He also attended non-credited German Language classes at the University of Heidelberg, Germany during the time he served in the Army of Occupation in Germany. He married Marion Steffen of Evansville, WI in Madison on July 14, 1945. She later became a prominent artist in both the Milwaukee, Shorewood and Lake Geneva areas. She worked in water colors, oils, plus numerous other medias. She exhibited her painting for over 25 years and won numerous awards for her works. Marion died of cancer in Milwaukee on December 28, 1971. Doug was a member of Sigma Delta Chi Journalism fraternity, the Lake Geneva Art Association, having served as president and also the Lake Geneva Bicentennial Committee. He served in the 1970's on the Lake Geneva Master Plan Update Committee; he established and conducted the efforts to compile the permanent art collection for the Lake Geneva City Hall. He was a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and also the General Society of the Mayflower Descendants. He had served on the WI Business Council, Brown Deer, WI Beautification Committee, Shorewood Men's Club and the Milwaukee Press Club. He had also served as Secretary of the Lake Geneva Tree Board and Secretary of the Lake Geneva Police/Fire Commission. While in college he served on the University of Wisconsin, Madison UW paper, the Cardinal. During his time in the Army from 1945-46 he served in Europe as an Army newsman. He wrote for the 3rd Division Paper, "The Front Line". He also wrote for Stars and Stripes and DANA the German/American news agency. He was editor of the Lake Geneva Regional News from 1948-1961. He then went to Milwaukee's North Shore to be editor of the five weeklies papers and one monthly paper serving Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, River Hills Bayside, Glendale, Brown Deer and Milwaukee's Northeast side. He served as editor there from 1961- 1974, when he returned to Lake Geneva to once again serve as editor of the Lake Geneva Regional News. He retired in December of 2011. While serving as editor of the various newspapers, those papers won many state and national awards. John Douglas Elliot is listed in the Wisconsin State "Who's Who in the Midwest of 1974". Doug enjoyed traveling and covered the United States from one end to the other many times. He also had many collections and varied hobbies. He had a great love for our feathered friends and his back yard and home reflected that love. His home was known as the "Elliot Museum" and it was always a very interesting place to visit. His gardens and flower beds were a source of great personal pride. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion; his mother and father, Howard P. and Alma (Rifenberg) Elliott; one sister, Ida Ann Schroeder; one brother, William; one niece and one nephew. He is survived by one brother, Howard (Barb) Elliott of Oconto Falls; a close Nephew, Donald (Nathalie) Schroeder of Niagara, WI. Plus many other nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was loved by many and will be remembered by his family members and numerous friends. If you wish to remember Doug with a gift, please give a gift to the American Cancer Society. In accordance with Doug's wishes, there will be no formal funeral services, but that each simply treasure the memories of the times shared with him. His family wants to give a special thank you to Doctor McMahon, the Dickinson Co. Hospital and staff who always were very kind and helpful.. We also wish to thank Evergreen Meadows Memory Care Unit which became his home. He felt secure and loved by each of you on the staff. Also, thank you to Lisa who drove him to many appointments. Condolences to the family of John Douglas Elliot may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services with the Arrangements.

John "Doug" Elliott

August 19, 1924 - May 8, 2016