John Sailer

A Celebration of Life Service for John Sailer, age 70, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Tuesday morning, January 15, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Visitation will be held Monday evening at the church from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. and again for one hour prior to services. There will be a Masonic Service at 7:00 P.M. Monday evening at the church. John passed away Thursday January 10, 2013 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota from complications following open heart surgery. John was born December 10, 1942, to John D. Sailer and Mary M. Kusmenko in Morton County, ND. John was raised and confirmed in Hebron, ND. He graduated from Hebron High School in 1961. John married Carol Larson on February 26, 1966. John and Carol moved to Wheaton in 1968. John spent the majority of his working career as a rural mail carrier for the US Postal Service. In this position, he gained quite a following as Big John greeting kids at the mailbox with lollipops. He retired in 2005, after 30 years of service. John was very active in his beloved community and church. He served in several roles within his church, including youth group advisor, choir, and using his booming voice, he was the unofficial birthday announcer in fellowship hall. Johns love of singing also extended outside of church, to the Joyful Noise singing group formed with his friends. John was a member of the Wheaton Area Schools Football Chain Gang for 32 years. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and an avid coin collector. Johns greatest passion was his family. His time spent with his children and grandchildren brought him such great joy. John is survived by his loving wife, Carol, daughter Paula (Shane) Birch of Canton, Minnesota, sons Troy (Janet) Sailer of Eden Prairie, Minnesota and Jeff (Andrea) Sailer of Sartell, Minnesota, and seven grandchildren: Dylan Birch, Nathan Birch, Carlee Birch, Abby Sailer, Eric Sailer, Brody Sailer and Brynn Sailer. John will be missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him, mourned by all who loved him, and carried in the hearts of his family forever. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in Johns name to his church: Good Shepherd Lutheran 605 10th Street N Wheaton, MN 56296.