July 19, 1928 - June 5, 2024
John was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin on July 19, 1928 to John and Leona Sifferle. When he was three years old the family moved to Minneapolis, MN. He attended St. Helena’s grade school through the seventh grade. He enjoyed playing baseball & basketball as a young man. The family then moved to Bremerton, WA. And he completed grade school at Our Lady Star of the Sea. He would take the ferry each day to attend O’dea High School, graduating in the great class of 1947. He attended St. Marten’s College for two years, then transferred and graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in sociology. He began work as a case worker for the State of Washington. He worked for Boeing as an industrial engineer for 8 years. After that, he went back to work for the state of Washington for 25 years and retired in 1991. He really enjoyed being able to help so many people.
John married Madonna at St. James Cathedral August 29, 1964. They raised two girls; Stephanie and Sue, & John was a devoted husband and father. They enjoyed family time with camping trips all over the northwest on summer weekends, and going skiing as a family during the winter. In the family, John was known as a good cook, and he hosted many extended family Thanksgivings. He also loved to share his barbeque banquets and smoked pork with many guests over the years. He did not start playing golf until he retired, but enjoyed it very much, and got a hole in one at age 85. He valued his faith and being a part of the Catholic community. He shared this faith with his family, and it contributed to him being a great husband and father.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister JoAnn Scheer, and his grandson Christopher Manning. He is survived by his wife Madonna, his daughter Stephanie Manning (Brian), and daughter Sue Sifferle, and his brother Bill Sifferle (Joan), and granddaughter Jacqueline Manning.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Benedict’s Church in Seattle, at 11:00am on July 11, 2024