John Lee's Memorial Service Video John Robert Lee, 72, of New London, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from chronic health issues.  John was born on May 20, 1950 in Manitowoc to the late Robert and Violet (Dupuis) Lee.  He was united in marriage to Jeanne Marie Wall on December 20, 1975 in New London.

John graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School in 1968 and enjoyed life-long friendships with several classmates and their spouses. He attended the University of Wisconsin -Whitewater where he discovered his gift of writing. His career as a reporter began in 1969 at the Appleton Post Crescent newspaper.  Living during the "Walter Cronkite" era, he wrote with honesty, integrity, and a hunger for the truth.  His collaborative relationship with the police department reflected a unique partnership now lost in the demands of today's 24-hour sensationalist approach to journalism.

In his 40-year career as a newspaper reporter, John's daily assignments were the big stories – murders, tornados, fires as well as human interest and home-town stories.  To list the "top five" is impossible.  But certainly the most highly publicized assignment was the Steven Avery trial in 2007.  His extensive background and experience were respected by defense and prosecutors alike. John became internationally recognized for his fair, accurate and honorable coverage of this complicated trial.

Significantly, the Avery trial marked the first time the Gannett newspaper provided live video coverage of such a notable event. John was the "star of the show" in front of the camera while performing all the other duties necessary for the production behind the camera.   He set the standard and created the playbook for how his newspaper would move into the video world.

During his retirement you could find John golfing, playing Sheepshead, doing crossword puzzles, out for Friday night fish or working on his manicured lawn and feeding birds.  In his home office, he proudly displayed his two hole-in-one certificates from Mid Valley and Shamrock Heights Golf Courses.

John was appointed to the New London Police and Fire Commission by Mayor Gary Henke, on which he proudly served from 2011 to 2021.  As an avid reader of good newspapers and magazines, John was never short of opinions or a witty remark.   He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews.

John is survived by his wife Jeanne; his siblings, Lois Urban (Augusta Georgia), Alan Lee (Margie Moeller) (Middleton, Wisconsin), and Jay (Nancy) Lee (Colorado Springs, Colorado); brother-in-law Richard Wall (River Falls, Wisconsin), and sister-in-law Marilyn Wall (Oakland, California).  His nieces and nephews include  Kristine (Mark) Glenn and their daughter, Amanda (North Augusta, South Carolina), Benjamin Lee (Kelly Ryan) and their daughter, Frankie (Madison, Wisconsin), Ryan Lee (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Alison Lee (Daniel Hoard) and their children, Kevin, James and Sierra (Austin, Texas), Janet Wall (Washington, DC) and JoEllen Wall (Charlotte, North Carolina).

John was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Emil Urban, and sister-in-law, Barbara L Wall.

A memorial service celebrating John's life will be held Friday, June 17, 2022 at 11:00 am following a visitation from 9:00 -11:00 at Cline & Hanson Funeral Home.