John Wartelle Sr. was born December 7, 1935, in Decatur, Texas, to Fred Wartelle and Emma Reavis. He grew up in Saginaw, Texas, and graduated from Northside High School in 1954.

Service: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 Biggers Funeral Chapel

Interment: Dido Cemetery, Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 following service.

Visitation: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 5th, 2026 Biggers Funeral Chapel

Johnny was a gifted athlete and a well-known left-handed pitcher, earning All-District honors in baseball. After high school, he continued playing baseball professionally with the Paris Orioles of the Baltimore Orioles farm system, where he became known as the “Fire-Baller” for his powerful pitching. On May 5, 1956, he struck out 22 batters in a single game.

In 1956, Johnny married Peggy Lynette Sagers. They shared 48 years of marriage until her death in 2004. Together they raised four children: Julie, John Jr., Janie, and Scott.

Johnny was a skilled sheet metal worker by trade and could build almost anything. He took great pride in his work and retired at the age of 65.

He was also a man who believed in giving his time to others. Johnny was deeply involved in community sports and played an important role in building Sabine Jarvis Little League into a major competitor in the area. He also served as a Boy Scout leader, where he enjoyed teaching young boys the skills of the outdoors and helping them become confident outdoorsmen.

Johnny loved being outside. One of the greatest family traditions he created was the lake house he built on Lake Bridgeport. For more than 30 years, the entire family gathered there every Fourth of July to fish, play games, enjoy good food, and watch the fireworks. Those summers became some of the family's most treasured memories.

After Peggy's death, John discovered a new passion: exploring the bridges of Texas and Oklahoma. He traveled throughout both states with his children and their spouses, searching out old and interesting bridges and creating many more memories along the way.

Johnny was a hardworking man, a talented craftsman, an athlete, a teacher, and an outdoorsman. But most of all, he was a family man. He leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and who will carry his stories and memories with them.

Johnny is survived by his children, Julie Wartelle, John Wartelle Jr. and his wife, Donna, Janie Hund and her husband, Louis, and Scott Wartelle and his wife, Elsie; his grandchildren, Amy Renkie, John Wartelle III, Shawn Fuller, Justin Gouge, Preston and Parker Hund, Austin, Alyssa, and Garrett Wartelle; his great-grandchildren, Raiden and Jackson Wartelle, Chance and Colt Fuller, Taylor and Gemma Gouge, Tripp, Huck, and Hallie Jo Reinke; and his sister, Katherine Cole.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Lynette Sagers, and his brother, Jimmy Wartelle.

Johnny lived a good life. He worked hard, loved his family, helped young people, enjoyed the outdoors, and never stopped being curious about the world around him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.