April 4, 2013
John Cressel Sherratt

John Cressel Sherratt, 89, left this world peacefully April 1 at home. Cressel, as he was known, was born Jan. 25, 1924 in Cedar City to John Bulloch and Mary Diantha Cox Sherratt. He was the third of 10 children. He married Jennie Hafen on Oct. 17, 1958 in Enoch. Their marriage was later solemnized in the St. George Temple. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ramola and Sarah Helen, granddaughter Nicole, brothers Garth W. and Boyd Dwight, and son Walter Dean. He is survived by brothers Jack Orlon (Florene) and Robert Elray (Marilyn) Sherratt, sisters Cuella (Don) Dalton (since deceased on April 2), Elaine MacRae and Bonnie Gay (J) Deem; children Grant (Violet), Bill, Mike (DeAnn), Kay, Walter Dean, Paul (Lauri), Kenneth (Peggy) Sherratt, Debbie Ginnett, Helen (Dean) Chynoweth, Dianne (Gary) Meyer; 31 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren. Cressel served in the 17th Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He jumped into France during the Battle of the Bulge. It was there his feet were damaged by frost bite and he was wounded by a mortal shell and received one of two purple hearts. He was later attached to General Patton where he was again wounded and received his second purple heart during that campaign. He was then on a ship headed to Japan when Japan surrendered. He served in Korea thereafter until he was honorably discharged. Cressel had a love for flying, so when he got home he bought a plane and was able to fly food and supplies to the local ranchers and their livestock during the winter of 1949 when it was not possible to drive into the herds. He was one of the founding members of the Iron Rangers Rodeo Club. They built the rodeo grounds behind Milt’s Stage Stop where they held rodeos. He and Warren Williams wowed the crowds with their riding skills. He was a rancher and farmer and together with his father and brothers irrigated and harvested more than 2,000 acres in 1970. He and his brother and their families ran a commercial dairy on Midvalley Road. He operated the Rush Lake Ranch. He was past president of the local livestock association and Coal Creek Irrigation Company. He was active in his church and served in many callings including bishoprics and stake positions. He served as a temple ordinance worker and sealer in his later years. He was known as an honorable and honest man all his life. He stood up for what he believed in and was active in accomplishing whatever he chose to pursue. There is a great reunion in Heaven with all his family and friends. Funeral services will be held April 6 at the 6th Ward Church, 85 E. 400 South in St. George, with a viewing at 8:30 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. Graveside services will be held in Cedar City at 1:30 p.m. Internment to follow under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary.