Sandra M. John

FUNERAL HOME

Mamary-Durkin Funeral & Cremation Services

59 Parrish St.

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Sandra John Obituary

Sandra M. John of Wilkes-Barre passed away Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, at her home, after a lengthy illness.

She was born Sept. 3, 1932, in Indianapolis, Ind., the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Atkins Anderson.

Sandra was formerly employed by Bell Telephone in Indianapolis and then was on the United States Olympic Team in 1956, in Melbourne, Australia, participating in gymnastics. She was a gold medalist in the United States AAU Championships, in the all-around division, and a member of the Indianapolis Hall of Fame.

She was a member of St. Anthony/St. George Maronite Church, Wilkes-Barre.

Sandra and her husband celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on March 3, 2017.

She is survived by her husband, Alfred John; children, Kathi and her husband, Bill Waite, Denver, Colo.; David and his wife, Cheryl Ruddick, Omaha, Neb.; Robert Ruddick, Modale, Iowa; Leo John, Wilkes-Barre; and Mary Babula, Wilkes-Barre; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was a sister, Mary Lou Powers.

The funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday from Mamary-Durkin Funeral Service, 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony Maronite Church, Park Avenue and Dana Street, Wilkes-Barre.

Interment will be held in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Twp.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Citizens Voice on Oct. 13, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Sandra John

9 Entries

Bruce Davis

October 5, 2021

Sandy was a wonderful gymnast and a beautiful woman. She was 5'10'' tall and may be the tallest US Olympian gymnast in history. She was inducted into the Indiana Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2012. She was NAAU All-around champion in 1956 and a member of the 1956 US Olympic team to Melbourne Australia. She was my sisters mentor in gymnastics and I must admit, I had a little boy crush on her.

October 17, 2017

Such very sad news, as she was our 1956 AA Champion and, yes, the tallest Olympic Gymnast to my knowledge on USA record.
A beautiful lady, a 23 year old mother of two, who led the way for USA in 1956. Although I wasn't in contact with my teammate in the past few years, my heart is heavy, that this talented and innovative gymnast is gone.
She definitely left her footprint on Women's Gymnastics in USA in the 1950's.
With my deepest sympathy and admiration,
Jackie Klein Fie, 1956 OG WAG Teammate

Dr. William Clearfield

October 16, 2017

Sandra was on of the finest perosns I had come to know. I was her and Al's phuysicians for many years. BOth were truly missed when I left the Valley five years ago.
Sandra was proud and loyal and a great friend. She would show me her Olympic Citations with great pride. When I attended the 2008 Games in Beijing, there were tributes to every modern Olympic athlete. I found the tribute to her and sent it to her and Al.
She is greatly missed and to Al, G-d bless

Pat Starr Turner

October 16, 2017

Lots of great memories and my prayers will be with your family. RIP

Patti Fichtner Jantz

October 15, 2017

Rest in peace, Sandy. I'll miss you dearly.

Sandy age 4

Bruce Davis

October 14, 2017

I met Sandy in 1955 when she was training with my sister Muriel Davis Grossfeld at the Athenaeum Turners in downtown Indianapolis, IN. Sandy and Muriel both went on to make the 1956 US Women's Gymnastics Olympic team to Melbourne. Sandy was 5'10" which is probably a record height for female gymnast Olympians. Sandy was an inspiration to Muriel who was 8 years younger than Sandy. Sandy, a Broad Ripple girl, was involved in dance, acrobatics and gymnastics from age 4 on. As a young man (11) I would watch Sandy, Muriel, Myra Perkins, & Sharon Phelps workout with Coach Walter Lienert in the Turner gym. Sandy was the leader of the group. Sandy possessed a unique personality that is difficult to describe. I will continue to think of her often. I had the opportunity to meet her husband Al when Sandy was inducted into The Indiana Gymnastics Hall of Fame in Indianapolis in 2012. Al had driven Sandy to this event from Wilkes Barre as Sandy could not fly due to her health. Sandy gave the most wonderful speech to 100 young women gymnasts encouraging them to follow their dreams in sport. My thoughts and prayers to all the family.

Patti Fichtner-Jantz

October 13, 2017

My prayers and condolences to your family. I am so very sorry for your loss. I've known Sandy and her family for 37 years and will miss her dearly. Rest in peace Sandy.