John Carl Uselman

John Carl Uselman, 87, passed away peacefully on February 1st, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

He is proceeded in death by his wife, Adaline Uselman, his father, Pasilous Uselman; his mother, Grace Uselman; and siblings Marion Campfield, Austin Uselman, Pasilous (Rusty) Uselman Jr, Jeanette Barta and Carlton Uselman. John is survived by his sister, Patricia; his four children, Catherine Lesar and husband Greg, Lisa Pedersen and husband Dan, Gregory Uselman and wife Christine, and David Uselman and wife Stacy; his nine grandchildren, Kathleen, Samantha, Andie, Joseph, Rylie, Joshua, Nicholas, Alexander, and Alexandra; and five great grandchildren, Ellie, Adaline, Finley, Garrison and Tova.

John was born in Hillsboro Wisconsin on August 19, 1936 to Pasilous and Grace Uselman where he spent his early years on a dairy farm.  Growing up, John had a close-knit family that instilled in him the values of love, commitment, and hard work.  After graduating from Wilton High School, he combined these values with his never-ending sense of adventure and departed for a career in the United States Air Force.

John loved the Air Force life, rooted in service to his country which fit perfectly with his sense of adventure and travel.  His early years in the military took him to California, a remote assignment to an iceberg North of Alaska, then on to Sheppard AFB, Texas for training.  It is here where John’s life would be forever changed, meeting the love of his life, the former Adaline Vacek on a blind date. 

After a whirlwind courtship, John and Adaline were married on April 18, 1960.  As a team, they continued the adventurous military life moving to Minnesota, where Catherine, Lisa and Gregory were born.  Then on to Guam Island where the family was complete with David’s birth.  John’s military career additionally took the family to Turkey, Texas (where he deployed to Korat AB, Thailand supporting Vietnam War efforts), Oklahoma, Illinois, and Montana.  He retired as a Master Sergeant after a successful 21-year career in communications, aircraft flight controls, and as an electrical foreman.

John’s second career capitalized on his leadership as an electrical foreman, taking him and the family to Idaho, Washington, Nevada then back to Washington. Along the way, John provided a house with Adaline full of love and guidance that shaped their children to successful careers and lives.  After the last child left the nest, John and Adaline built their dream home on an airpark in Yelm, including a hanger where he spent much of his time tinkering with his airplane as a licensed pilot, and restoring tractors.

It is here where he would spend his full time after retiring from 21 years in the Civil Service.  He relished every opportunity taking family and friends on flights in the Puget Sound where is favorite was stopping at any one of the numerous airports for a burger and piece of pie.

In the 87 years that John lived, he was so many things to so many people. He was a man who embraced life, traveled the world and succeeded at every endeavor.  He always said, “do it right the first time.”  We’ll Dad, you did it right!  

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