John A. Rizner, 88, died peacefully Friday, April 6th, 2018 at Helen Porter Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Middlebury with family at his bedside. He was born on April 10, 1929 in Worcester, MA the youngest of six sons to John J. Rizner and Anna (Knapp) Rizner. After working several months as a stock clerk/cashier at Thomas Variety store in Dudley, MA, he enlisted with some buddies in the US Army at the age of 17, with his parents approval, to help the WW II efforts. He received his GED while in the military and traveled the world serving our country. He began as an orderly at Osaka (Japan) General Hospital in 1946, then to a MASH unit and UN prisoner of war camp in Korea, and back to Osaka Hospital until 1953. It was at that hospital that he met and married his devoted wife, Tsumiyo, also known as "Mickey." Then to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD (where his oldest son, Ray, was born). Back to Japan for the birth of his last two sons, Gene and Mike, before moving the full family stateside to Fort Riley, KS. While based in Kansas, he was deployed to Berlin, Germany during the Cold War and later in Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One). In 1966, John and his family were relocated for the final time to Middlebury where he served his last two years of military duty as an assistant professor of military science with ROTC at Middlebury College. He retired at the rank of First Sergeant in 1968 with 22 years of active service. He retired from the payroll department at Simmonds Precision in Vergennes, and dabbled in several ventures including selling ads for WFAD radio and helping his two sons and Mikes wife, Nancy, at The Whiting Country Store. Later, he drove school buses for Bet-Cha student transit in the Salisbury area. He loved watching the Red Sox and Patriots, golf, fishing and deer hunting. He volunteered his time as an ambulance driver, was a founding member of the Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association, a greeter at Porter Hospital, and was commander at American Legion Post 27. His pickup truck had a snow plow for offering free clearing of drifts for neighbors and friends. He is survived by his sons, Eugene and his partner Rita Easter and their son, Andrew, of Brandon and Ray of Brandon. Also, grandsons Everett of Middlebury, Stephen and Sarah (and great grandson Ronin) of Essex Junction, VT, and Matthew and Kathryn of Stamford, CT. One brother, Harold, of Dudley, MA and many caring nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Tsumiyo "Mickey" Ishita Rizner, and by his son Michael, brothers James (his twin), Albert, George, and Edward. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 9-11 am. Graveside service will follow at 11:30 am at Holman Veterans Cemetery in Salisbury, VT. Memorial contributions may be made to Elderly Services Project Independence at 112 Exchange Street, Middlebury, VT 05753. The family acknowledges the wonderful care at Helen Porter Memory Care. Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com SERVICES Visitation Saturday, April 14, 2018 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home 117 South Main St Middlebury, VT 05753 Graveside Service Saturday, April 14, 2018 11:30 AM Holman's Veteran's Cemetery Salisbury, VT 05769