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John Wirth Obituary
Born in Vermillion on July 30, 1947 to Lawrence and Ferne Wirth, he was a 1965 graduate and star athlete of Vermillion High School and a 1969 USD grad, where he was a member of SAE fraternity.
Upon graduation he entered military service as a ROTC 2nd Lieutenant, and served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne until 1972. He came home a combat veteran with a Bronze Star, proud to have never lost a man from the troops he led.
John's long career in steel sales would take him from coast to coast. He and Diane Sammelson of Vermillion were married in 1990. Career moves led them to Eugene, OR where they raised son Cody, and John sold steel until his retirement and their return to Vermillion in 2015.
Family and friends will recall John's bent for having fun. As an avid golfer he won several club championships. He also loved hunting and salmon fishing, and coached many of Cody's youth teams where he became very close to many of Cody's young friends.
We'll remember him not only as a loving husband, father, brother, and uncle. but also as a true warrior who fought to the very end. You will be forever missed, Johnny.
John is survived by Diane, his wife of 28 years, and son, Cody; sisters Patricia Duke of Raleigh, NC and Rosemary (Bob) VanEpps of Denver, CO; brother Jeff (Marilyn) Wirth of Tucson, AZ, sister-in-law Darcy Sammelson, brother-in-law Grant Sammelson and many nieces and nephews. Predeceasing him were his parents, brother Jimmy Wirth, and brother-in-law Greg Sammelson of Vermillion.
No services will be held at this time, but plans for a memorial golf tournament will be announced at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Wirth
5 Entries
Adam Haag
February 2, 2018
I had the pleasure of getting to know John as an Outside Salesperson for Bridge City Steel and I often mentioned him as my favorite, sometimes to poke fun at other outside guys but I was sincere in my jest. He had an uncanny ability to figure out my schedule and rarely required a phone ahead. I always had time for John and never tired of his stories. I'm disappointed that I was never able to take him up on a golf outing and later a pheasant hunting trip and will miss his anecdotes and genuine personality. A rare man of whom I had great respect for.
Michael Devereux
January 16, 2018
Diane and Cody
I am very sorry that you lost John to cancer.
I truely enjoyed your entire family and especially my many conversations with John about our sons and their endeavors.
John always cared about the people around him and shared his love of life.
Bear Leber
January 10, 2018
John, thank you for service and tour in Vietnam.
Welcome home brother.
Bear
USMC 65-71
RVN 66-67
Bridge City Steel
January 8, 2018
John's Coworkers, here at Bridge City Steel, were very sad to hear of his passing. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family.
January 4, 2018
Dear Ones,
Am deeply saddened by the painful news of John's passing. John's heart and his smile would double-team all those lucky enough to come into his orbit...and well, then he had you.
John's smile could be welcoming, comforting, loving, sly, wry...the catalog goes on...but it was always authentic and it unfailingly came directly from his generous heart. Many have said that the eyes are the window to the soul and it's a fine and familiar trope. With John, it was his smile that gave us the biggest peek inside this beautiful guy.
His younger brother Jimmy, so sadly and so lately leaving us for his reward, worshipped John and John worshipped him...to the point where John was so very like Jimmy's Guardian Angel.
My sympathies to his dear family...am so sincerely sorry for your heartbreaking loss.
This mortal sphere is now duller than ever with John gone, but Heaven is brighter, faster and funnier welcoming him. Jimmy's Guardian Angel can now watch over all of us....and beam his smile for all of us.
"Good night sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"
W.S.
With blessings and honor and the greatest respect,
Doug Steckler
Los Angeles, CA
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