John Henry Wacek, 87, of Sweet Home died June 17, 2010.
He was born Jan. 22, 1923 in Olivia, Minn. to George and Bertha (Goblirsch) Wacek.
He was raised on a farm and went to school in Olivia. He was employed by the Trojan Seed Co., operating the steam dryer equipment and driving truck.
Mr. Wacek served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Area, first in the Infantry and then transferred to Ordinance where he was a motor sergeant and ran convoy.
He married Elda Kleene on Nov. 3, 1948 and they had three children. Mr. Wacek then went to work at the Ford Motor Garage in St. Paul, Minn. before working in the oil field at Tioga, N.D. He then went to Alaska and worked in construction before becoming a trooper with the territorial police.
He left Alaska in 1962 and moved to Eugene, working in construction again until 1969. He then moved to Albany and worked in the Linn County Assessors office as a state certified Industrial Appraiser. He retired Dec. 31, 1986.
Mr. Wacek enjoyed polka music, hunting, fishing, and playing cards. In his younger years he played the accordion with three dance bands. He hunted and had nice trophies of deer, antelope, sheep, caribou and elk. His pride and joy of fishing was an 8-foot, 3-inch sturgeon.
He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Cooties, and a member of the National Rifle Association.
Mr. Wacek is survived by his wife, Elda; children Dennis, Shirley and Les; and sisters Marg, Susie and Birdie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Evelyn; and brothers George and Joseph.
Viewing will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 29, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Final burial will be at Lewis Cemetery.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.