Johnny L. Wallette

Johnny L. Wallette, age 74, of Savanna, IL passed away on May 28, 2025 at Rock River Hospice and Home, in Sterling, IL. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Johnny was born November 9, 1950, in Berlin, Germany. His mother, Helga Kapernick, would go on to fall in love with Moses Wallette, a Native American U.S. servicemember stationed there. The young couple were soon married, with Moses becoming Johnny’s adoptive father.

During his childhood, Johnny learned English in the American Military housing, and in 1962, his family moved to Savanna, IL, where his father was to be stationed, at the Savanna Army Depot. In 1969, Johnny graduated from Savanna High School, and later that year, enlisted in the United States Navy.

After his honorable discharge, Johnny lived in a few different places, namely the Miami area, and was married to Janine Winter, with whom he had a son; as well as to Lori Davies, for a short time. Then, in the late ‘80s, Johnny moved back to Savanna, and in 1997, married Mary Spanier. Johnny would spend the rest of his life with Mary by his side.

Over the decades, Johnny performed factory work for Metform and Construction in Freeport, but his favorite job was at Seven Eagles Campground, in Savanna. He loved working there, happily referring to the people there as his “Seven Eagles family.”

Johnny was a hard working man with a soft spot for animals. He kept many pets over the years, and in retirement, became a volunteer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and nursed many abandoned or hurt animals back to health (the bird on Johnny’s shoulder in the picture above, is one such example). One of his favorite things to do was load his dog into the car, and take a drive through town, stopping to pick up the newspaper every Wednesday.

Johnny will be dearly missed by his wife of 27 years, Mary; son, Johann; his dog, Zephyr; and his six cats. He is preceded in death by his parents, Moses and Helga, and his sister, Lynn Mantua.