John C. Burish, 86, Marathon, died Thursday, April 29, 2021 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at his home.

He was born December 10, 1934 in Marathon, son of the late Edward and Leora (Jost) Burish. He married Shirley Schwocho and later divorced. She preceded him in death on January 25, 1984. John later met Dorothy Gill and they were able to spend 20 plus years together until she preceded him in death on November 21, 1999. He then married Susie Stencil at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. She preceded him in death on July 6, 2017.

In his earlier years John was a was a cheese maker in the town of Stettin, working alongside his Father until he took over the family business. John also raised ginseng in the Marathon area for many years. Some of his favorite pastimes included attending church picnics, Polka dancing, attending the Steam Engine Show, play cards and dominos.

John served his country in the United States Army.

Survivors include his daughter, Kris Burish Marathon; grandson, Andrew, stepchildren, Pam (Tom) Balz, Marathon and Rick (Pam) Stencil, Edgar, step children, Lori (Tom) Hack, Mosinee, Gary Gill, Chetek and Kenny (Beth) Gill, Virginia; siblings, Janet Skrypchak, Chicago, Shirley Reid, Arkansas, Norbert (Barbara) Burish, Wausau, Tom (Kathy) Burish, Irma and Mike Burish, Milwaukee; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Burish, Wausau, Lillian Burish, Marathon, Joyce Burish, Marathon, Shirley Burish, Indiana and Louann Burish, Marathon; many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by Shirley, Dorothy and Susie, his sisters, Beatrice Wadzinski and (Lavern) Sr. Beatrice Burish and brothers, Reuben, Eugene, Tony, Ed, Marlin, Jim, Elton and Kenneth.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 7, 2021 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. Current social distancing protocols will be practiced, and face coverings are required for all who attend.