John Thomas Port

John Thomas Port, 82 of Cloquet died Friday, February 10, 2006 in Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. He was born November 24, 1923 in St. Paul to Adolph and Irene (McDermott) Port. John worked as an auto mechanic at Oswald Motors for more than 20 years. He was an Army veteran serving during WWII and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the Cloquet VFW, a charter member of the WWII Memorial Society, and Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Superior. John enjoyed traveling, working on cars, reading, playing scrabble, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He especially enjoyed the annual reunions of the Company H, 9th Infantry, Second Division. John was proud to have served his country. John was preceded in death by his first wife, Janice Port; his second wife, Mardell Port; daughter, Michele Port; step-daughter, Diane Flayton; brothers, Adolph and Ernie Port; and sister, Evelyn Morgan. He is survived by two daughters, Janet (Dennis) Kalli of Esko and Renee Cragin of Carlton; son, William (Cathy) Port of Brandon, Mississippi; step-daughter, Doreen (Bruce) Smith of Gordon, WI; brothers, Howard (Phyllis) and Robert (Jean) both of Cloquet, and Chester (Karen) of Lakewood, CA; sister, Irene Pochucha of Goodland; 12 grandchildren, Eric (Sariina) and Kerry (Connie) Kalli, Aundrea (Jeremy) Rainville, Thomas (Shelia), Brian (Lana), Glenn, Amanda, Jason and Chad Port, Maddie and Chelsie Cragin, and Ryan Smith; 8 great grandchildren; 8 step grandchildren; and 10 step great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Cloquet. Military Honors were accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Superior. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Superior.