John Gully, age 84, of Wessington, SD, died Saturday, October 14, 2006, 2 miles west of Huron on Highway 14 as a result of an automobile accident. His memorial mass will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, October 19, at St. Joseph Catholic Church at Wessington with Father John Helmueller officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery at Wessington with Military Rites by the Watson-Krauter American Legion Post #110 of Wessington. A Scripture Service and Rosary will be at 7:00 PM Wednesday evening, October 18, at St. Joseph Catholic Church at Wessington. There will be no visitation. John Arthur Gully was born on January 18, 1922, to Clarence and Esther (Hiett) Gully in Clark County near Willow Lake, SD. He was raised in the Willow Lake area and graduated from Willow Lake High School in 1941. He entered the U.S. Army on November 16, 1942, during World War II, and served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater where he was awarded 1 Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and a Presidential Citation. He was honorably discharged on October 25, 1945. Following his discharge he returned to the Willow Lake area. On March 3, 1947, John married LaVon Gamber at Willow Lake. John attended and graduated from college in 1950 with a B.A. degree in education. He taught school in Montana and South Dakota for the next 3 years. The couple lived on the family farm where John began farming in 1953, and raised their 2 children, Jack and Natalie. He retired from farming in 1973 and the couple moved to Illinois where they raised and supported many foster children. In 1987, they moved to Rifle, CO, where John worked for the Forest Service until 1999 when they returned to Wessington, South Dakota, and have lived there since that time. They enjoyed touring the U.S. in their motor home. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Wessington, and the Watson-Krauter American Legion Post #110 of Wessington. He is survived by 1 daughter, Natalie Brikel of Coffeeville, KS; 1 son, Jack (Kelly) Gully of Newell, SD; 2 granddaughters, Renae McManaman of Wessington, and Nicole McManaman of Gunnison, CO; 1 grandson, Jon McManaman of Coffeeville, KS; 1 great granddaughter, Kaili Wilson of Wessington; 1 sister, Leona Wiley of Renton, WA; 2 brothers, Paul (Betty) Gully of Tukwila, WA, and Gordon (Mable) Gully of Watertown, SD; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, LaVon on August 30, 2002; 2 sisters, Lucille and Alma; 1 brother, Norbert; and 1 granddaughter, Brandi Jo.