John Mayer

John Mayer passed away peacefully on Friday, June 21st after battling cancer. 

John was born July 5,1945 at Edgeley, North Dakota. He was the son of Ludwig and Alvina (Morlock) Mayer. John was Baptized on August 19th,1945 at the Neudorf Lutheran Church, in Neudorf Township. He was confirmed on 22 May,1960 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gackle, ND. He received his elementary education in the local Neudorf Township country school and graduated from Gackle High School in 1963. After graduation John continued to help his parents on the family farm. 

In 1968, John enlisted in the US Army for 2 years. He spent 1 year in Vietnam serving in the infantry for 10 months and as the Colonel’s driver for the final 2 months. He was awarded 2 bronze stars and brought back a Chinese SKS rifle on the plane.

John was a life member of the American Legion, VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and the Vietnam Veterans of America. He was a past commander of the Gackle American Legion Post and Chaplain for the Jamestown VFW for 10 years.

After his service, John returned to the family farm, purchasing it from his parents in 1975. After selling the farm in 2003, John worked as a knife sharpener at Cavendish Farms until 2008 when he retired and moved to Jamestown. 

John was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He stayed busy delivering Meals on Wheels for 14 years, delivering commodities and helped take care of the VFW park in Jamestown until his 3rd bout with cancer returned in 2023. He also was a “ticket taker” for local school events.

John is survived by his brother-in-law Lloyd Elsner, nephews Dirk and Kevin Elsner, his niece Renae Devaul and 2 grand-nieces Nicole and Jessica.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters – Lillian Mayer and Darlene Elsner.

John asked that, in lieu of flowers, any memorials be sent to the Gackle American Legion, C/O Dean Entzminger, PO Box 257, Gackle, ND 58442.