John Henry Wacek, 87, of Sweet Home passed away Thursday. He was born in Olivia, Minnesota to George and Bertha (Goblirsch) Wacek.

John 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.

He served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific area; first in the infantry, and then transfered to ordinance where he was a motor sergeant and ran convoy.

He married Elda Kleene November 3, 1948, and they had three children. John then went to work at the Ford Motor Garage in St. Paul, Minnesota before working in the oil field at Tioga, North Dakota. He then went to Alaska and worked construction before becoming a trooper with the territorial police. He left Alaska in 1962 and moved to Eugene, Oregon, working in construction again until 1969. He then moved to Albany, Oregon and worked in the Linn County Assessors Office a state certified industrial appraiser. He retired December 31, 1986.

John 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′ 3” sturgeon. John 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.

John 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 9 am to 11 am Tuesday, June 29, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be 1 pm Tuesday, June 29, also at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Final burial will be at Lewis Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.