Calvin “Kelly” John, 84, of Steamburg, died Oct. 8, 2004 after a long illness. He was a four-term president of the Seneca Nation of Indians.
     Mr. John was a graduate of Salamanca High School and Jamestown Community College. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Philippines. Among many medals, he was awarded two bronze stars and a bronze arrowhead.
     Shortly after the war, Mr. John served his first stint as president of the Seneca Nation, from 1946 to 1948. He went on to serve as president from 1950 to 1952, 1966 to 1968 and 1990 to 1992. He was also treasurer and tribal councilor.
     Mr. John was employed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Cattaraugus County Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) Program. He was an enrolled member of the Wolf Clan of the Seneca Nation. Mr. John was also a member of the Jimersontown Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder.
     He was a member of the Salamanca Kiwanis Club, the Allegany Temperance Lodge, Allegany State Park Historical Society, Seneca Iroquois National Museum board of directors and the Presbyterian Native American Concerns Committee.
     Mr. John was a Little League baseball coach and also coached the Allegany Reservation girls’ basketball team.
     He was the husband of Grace (Lay) John; father of Marilyn George of Jimersontown, Luane Spruce of Irving and Suzanne of Versailles; and brother of Marian of Jimersontown, Carolyn of Jamestown and Eugene of Gowanda; also survived by nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
     Arrangements were by the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Funeral Home, Salamanca.