John Sanford Rustemeyer was born January 27, 1921 at Bonesteel, South Dakota to John L. Jack and Julia (Lunderman) Rustemeyer and he died June 19, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Luther Manor in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 89 years.
John was baptized as an infant and confirmed in July of 1947 in the Lutheran faith. He attended country school for one year, school at St. Charles for nine years and finish at Bonesteel High School, graduating with the class of 1939.
John was inducted into the United States Army Air Force on June 2, 1942. He served in the south Pacific, flying thirty-six missions. He received the purple heart as well as seven other air medals. He was discharged on September 6, 1945.
Upon his discharge, John returned home to farm. He was united in marriage to Adella Herrmann on May 31, 1947 near St. Charles, South Dakota on the Matt Herrmann farm. To this union three daughters were born. Together, they farmed south of Bonesteel from 1947 until 1961. They then moved to Bonesteel where John sold feed. He worked for the Corps of Engineers from 1963 until 1973. In 1973 he began his career as a government contractor, retiring in 1992.
John loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping, especially with the grandchildren. He also enjoyed the winters that were spent traveling south.
Johns last year and a half were spent in the loving care of the Good Samaritan Luther Manor in Sioux Falls.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Adella; one sister, Phyllis and one grandson, Luke.
Thankful for having shared his life are his three daughters: Rosemary and husband Bill Lampman of Pickstown, SD; Karen and husband Gary Hoffman of Spencer, NE; and Linda and husband Tim Raasch of Sioux Falls, SD; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ramona Waggoner of Carter Lake, IA; one sister-in-law, Marlis Herrmann of Yankton, SD; and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Bonesteel. There will be a prayer service on Wednesday at 7:00 PM the church. Burial will be Friday at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the church.