John Franklin Lalicker, 98, longtime Silverton, Oregon resident passed away on May 21, 2021. John was born May 2, 1923 in Venita, Oklahoma to William L. Lalicker and Ella Mae (Catlin) Lalicker. He was the middle son of three boys.
In 1923, his family moved to Medicine Lodge, Kansas where he attended local schools and graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in 1941 where he lettered in football, basketball and track. John served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. On Aug. 3, 1943, he married his high school sweetheart, Eileen Page, on her parent’s ranch near Gerlane, Kansas.
In the summer of 1949, John, Eileen and their two small children drove their 1937 Packard, pulling a tiny trailer carrying all their belongings to Silverton, Oregon. John spent his working years in retail foods. In 1952, John and Eileen leased the meat market at the CO-OP Frozen Food Plant on Water Street, naming it Budget Market. There, they cut and wrapped farm stock and wild game. After closing Budget Market in 1972, John worked another 20 years as produce manager at Fred Meyer. After retirement, John started a lawn mowing business, which he continued until he was 75 years old.
John was a member of the Silverton Rotary Club, the Silverton Volunteer Fire Department, the Masonic Lodge, and the Silverton Methodist Church. He was also an active Boy Scout leader. John and Eileen sponsored a Rotary exchange student from Indonesia and have continued correspondence with him through the years. While serving as a volunteer fireman, John often walked out of his grocery store and hopped on the back of the fire truck as it zoomed down Water Street.
For Silverton Masonic Lodge, he acted as secretary, treasurer and twice as Lodge Master. He was to receive a special award to honor his 75 years of service with the Masons in June. His relationship with Silverton Methodist Church was very special. John served on many committees and helped the church for over 70 years.
John is survived by his devoted wife Eileen; his daughter Kay Klaus of Keizer, Oregon; and his son and daughter-in-law Bob and Betty Lalicker of Spokane, Washington. He is also survived by grandchildren: Lisa Friesen of Silverton; Kevin (June) Shimp of Molalla; Cheryl Lalicker of Tri-Cities, Washington; and Joel (Dorothy) Lalicker of Fenton, Missouri; 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and granddaughter.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to Silverton Methodist Church or The American Heart Association.
A graveside service was held at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem. An outdoor memorial service will be held Saturday, June 5 at 2 p.m. at Silverton United Methodist Church. Masks are required. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel – Silverton, Oregon.
