John R. Salvestro

After a life well-lived, Johnie Salvestro, age 96, passed away peacefully with family by his side on October 26, 2025. His wife of 72 years, June Salvestro, preceded him in death just 31 days earlier. Johnie's parents, Angelo Salvestro and Marcella Diletta Mazzier, immigrated from Italy in 1928, traveling weeks by boat to the United States. Johnie was born in 1929 and his brother Bruno in 1931. They all lived in the small railroad community of Steinman, Oregon in the Siskiyou mountains. They resided in Steinman until his father, a section foreman for the Southern Pacific Railroad, passed away in 1938 following a long hospitalization for a work injury which ultimately resulted in him contracting tuberculosis. Marcella and her two small boys then moved to the community of Hilt, California, where she later married their step-father, Angelo Andrighetto. Fluent in Italian and Spanish, it wasn't until entering grade school that Johnie learned to speak English. Between the ages of 12 and 16, Johnie assisted the family by doing odd jobs at the Mountcrest ranch, which raised chickens and Hereford show cattle. On the day he turned sixteen, he began his 50-year career working for Fruit Growers Supply Company as a clean-up boy in the FGS box factory. He graduated from Siskiyou Joint Union High School in 1947 and then continued working at the mill until the outbreak of the Korean War. After he returned from the war, he was promptly reinstated with Fruit Growers on the utility crew. Between '46 and '73, Johnie would go on to be a carloader, chainman, bandsaw tailoff, cutoff sawyer, carpenter crew, plant supply receiving clerk, safety engineer/timekeeper, and finally safety engineer/fire chief while in Hilt. When the Hilt mill closed in 1973, he was offered a transfer to FGS in Burney as a forest technician. Through his strong work ethic and valued company experience, he was promoted to Forester and Logging Supervisor, which he considered to be his dream job. He loved his job of 50 years: "You know, when you eat your lunch in the woods, it's like a picnic every day." The Korean war was the only interruption to his 50 years with Fruit Growers. Johnie served in the US Army in Korea from March 1951 until he returned in December 1952. After he completed his basic training at Fort Ord, California he was deployed to active duty in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division ("Indianhead Division," motto "Second to None"), Heavy Mortar Company 38th Infantry. He was transferred to the Army Reserve in December 1952, returning to Hilt. He was honorably discharged in August of 1956. Throughout his service, Johnie earned the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge and the United Nations Service Medal. He achieved the rank of Corporal while in Korea. It was not long after his return to the United States that he met the love of his life, June Carnes of Eagle Point, Oregon. They married in 1953 at the Hilt church. They lived in Fruit Growers Supply company-owned homes and embarked on their classic '50s lifestyle, raising three children and being active in their community. Outside of his work duties, Johnie was loved and known as the go-to guy for his skills and dedication to the community. Among his contributions were driving the company ambulance which serviced the community, and coaching the Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball teams. He also taught essential skills to the town's children in his First Aid & Hunters Safety classes, including his own children who were his star students. Johnie's passion was the outdoors. He raised his children to appreciate the land and outdoor activities throughout the wilds of Siskiyou County. He was a skilled hunter and enjoyed big game and upland bird hunting, displaying many hunting trophies in his house and grounds. His constant companions were his beloved Brittany Spaniels, which he proudly trained himself. He enjoyed hiking, fishing, and camping trips with his family. His campsites had an array of amenities including a wood stove which enabled him to have running hot water, full place settings, and other comforts provided by his ingenuity and handiness. A lover of sports, he was a lifelong San Francisco 49ers and New York Yankees fan. Johnie and June returned to Yreka in 1995 for their dream retirement home, where they could enjoy the beautiful views from their living room window of morning sunrises over Bogus, Goose Nest, and Mt. Shasta and could garden to their hearts' content. Each year, Johnie grew a tremendous vegetable garden, generously sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. Johnie maintained his love for cultivating plants in his yard throughout his many years, eventually taking over the care of his wife June's roses as her health declined. To remember him, you can admire the Sequoia tree that is located in front of the Yreka Fire Station, donated from their yard in Hilt. To this day, it is lit every holiday season in celebration of Christmas. Johnie was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, June Salvestro; his father Angelo Salvestro and mother Marcella Diletta Mazzier; his step-father Angelo Andrighetto, his brother Bruno Salvestro, and great-granddaughter Trinity Reinhart who was lost while proudly serving our country in the US Air Force 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron. Johnie is survived by his three children Lorena (Lee) Reinhart, Terry (Shannon) Salvestro, Marlene Lerum (John Scott); grandchildren: Brian (Ann) Reinhart, Travis (Erika) Salvestro, Eryn (José) Lewis, Cory (Michelle) Lerum, Kirstie (Lane) Wilson, Zachary (Kayla) Salvestro, & Hazelle Lerum (Rand Michie), and ten great-grandchildren. Forever loved and cherished A funeral service will be held at Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka on Friday, November 14th at 11 a.m. followed by burial with military honors. Thereafter, a celebration of life will be held at the Terry Salvestro family home, 854 Montague Rd. Yreka. Expressions of sympathy can be made to benefit Madrone Hospice Inc. 255 Collier Circle Yreka Ca 96097 http://madronehospice.org Alzheimer's Association https//donorservices.alz.org