John Wantulok died peacefully at his home Sept. 5, 2011. He was 88 years old.

John was born Feb. 23, 1923, in Monarch, Wyo., to John and Mary Wantulok. The family moved to Sheridan where he grew up. His father died when he was at a very young age.

John was an avid outdoorsman from his early youth. He loved fishing, hunting and ran various trap lines. He worked very hard all of his life. Upon his high school graduation, he joined the Army and served with the 82nd Airborne Division in the European Theater. He was honorably discharged from the Army shortly thereafter.

He met the love of his life, Nina Dietz, and married her Jan. 31, 1948, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

John worked various jobs from owning a gas station in Cody to prospecting for uranium in his younger years. He then worked for Marathon Oil Co. for 29 years. During this time, he started a successful map business, Outdoorsmen’s Maps. Up to his last days, he enjoyed the outdoors of Wyoming.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Nina of 61 years.

He is survived by two sons, Owen (Janice) Wantulok of Cowley and Gary (Renata) Wantulok of Lovell, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial for his family and close friends will be held at a later date.

Lovell Chronicle - Sept. 8, 2011.