John D. Ames, 92, of Darien, died Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at Lakeland Health Care Center, Elkhorn, WI. John was born June 30, 1917, in Mundelein, IL, the son of Philip and Katherine (Lauffenberger) Ames. John married Isabelle Davidson, June 15, 1940, in Harvard, IL. John farmed all his life starting in the Harvard, IL, area and moving to Darien, in 1950. His registered Holstein herd, which continues under the management of his son Dennis, is recognized as one of the most outstanding homebred herds in the nation. He was a member of the Wisconsin and the National Holstein Associations from 1943 to 2009, and a member of the Farm Bureau. John was active in governmental affairs. He served on the Darien Town Board as chairperson and the Walworth Co. Board from 1965 to 1976. John was appointed by three governors to the Southeast Regional Planning Commission, serving a total of 20 years. John enjoyed the Chicago Cubs, the Packers, the Whitewater Warhawks, and hunting and fishing. He also loved flying his J-3 Piper Cub.
He is survived by four daughters: Phyllis/Suzie (Ray) Henschler of Janesville, Janice (Bob) Berezowitz of Darien, Bonnie Ames of Jefferson, and Dianne Meske of Janesville; five sons: Dennis (Ellen) Ames of Darien, John (Margie) Ames of Sturtevant, David (Pam) Ames of Darien, Tom (Barb) Ames of Watertown, and Ray (Sherri) Ames of Lake Geneva; one brother, Philip (Sarah) Ames of Galena, MO; 20 grandchildren: Kathie Bahman, Lynette Watson, Matt Henschler, Jason Henschler, Dan Berezowitz, Steve Berezowitz, Becky Blaken, Bonnie Brantmeier, Amy Spiegel, Sarah Trapp, Susie Chelesvig, Michaella Hess, David Magnasco, Ann Marie Ames, Robert Ames, Andrew Ames, Amanda Krause, Ben Ames, Brad Ames, and Amanda Nettesheim; and 20 great-grandchildren: Jamis, Harry, Maggy, Jack, Jase, Bryan, Brayden, Zachary, Jordan, Alexa, Maddie, Joey, Molly, Kati, Brady, Jesse, Jacob, Kole, Beau, and Elijah. John was preceded in death by his wife, Isabelle in 2004; his brother, Ben (Hannah) Ames; his sisters: Mellie (Earl) Masterson, Selma (Bill) Davidson, and Alice Ames; and two grandchildren, William and Cindy Ames.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at the BETZER FUNERAL HOME, Delavan, WI, with the Rev. David Strang officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 until 8 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to services on Friday. Burial services will be at 2:30 p.m. at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Harvard, IL. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the John and Isabelle Ames Memorial Scholarship Fund. John will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a champion of agricultural land protection and the preservation of natural resources.