Dr. Frederick "John" Service

Dr. F. John Service passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on February 28, 2020. John was born August 23, 1936 to Marjorie and Fredrick Service in Kapuskasing Ontario, Canada. He was the oldest of 3 children: brother George and sister Marjorie. He grew up in St Catharines and then later Thorold, Ontario. John graduated from Linwell High School in Thorold then McMaster University with a premedical degree. He attended medical school at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. His early training included a year in Montreal, Quebec and a year in Botwood, Newfoundland before returning to Montreal for another year of training. John immigrated to the United States for a residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in 1965. John subsequently received his PhD in Medicine at the University of Minnesota. John and Shirley intended to spend just a few years in Rochester, but his stay evolved into a long successful career in Endocrinology at the Mayo Clinic. Along with being a clinician and researcher, John was a prolific writer. He was involved in pivotal studies that changed the approach to treating diabetes. John traveled extensively, lecturing on diabetes and hypoglycemia. John retired from clinical practice in 2008 and from research in 2018. He said several times that he dedicated his life and soul to the Mayo Clinic. John Service is preceded in death by his parents Marjorie and Fredrick Service, his brother George, and 2 grandsons. He is survived by his wife Shirley, daughters Catherine Davis (Don), Jennifer Service (Steve), Susan Hemmesch (Tom), son Geoffrey Service (Erin), nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). A funeral service will be on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 512 3rd street SW Rochester, MN 55902. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2020 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Oakwood East Cemetery. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Service family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com