John E. Kawamoto, 78, of Sheridan died Monday, Feb. 5, 2001, in Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray Clark officiating.  Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.

Mr. Kawamoto was born Oct. 5, 1922, in Dietz to Timothy and Anna (Blanski) Kawamoto Sr.  He grew up and graduated high school in Sheridan and worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad until he enlisted in the Air Force during World War II.

He returned to Sheridan and Burlington Northern after the war.  He married Marjorie Ann Smith in 1954.  They were later divorced.  He went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in 1957 and worked until 1987 when he retired.

He was a member of the VFW.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, baseball and Bronco football and always attended Tongue River football games.

Survivors include two sons, Michael of Wyoming and Gary of Arvada, Colo.; a daughter, Elaine Norris of Sparks, Nev.; a brother, George Raymond of Sheridan; two sisters, Edith Vine of Sheridan and Grace Kawamoto of Santa Rosa, Calif.; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Memorials may be made to the Senior Citizens Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801.