John Brent Zundel, 83, passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Brigham City, Utah. He was surrounded by friends and family at the time of his passing.
Born on September 1, 1943, to Stephen Ulysses and Ethel Ruth Myers Zundel, Zundel was raised in Willard and attended Box Elder High School. He married Carole Jean Rallison in 1960, with whom he had two sons, Jay and Tracy, before their divorce. In 1965, he married Marla Johnson, and the couple remained married for 60 years. Together they raised their daughter, Christine.
Zundel's professional life included work in data processing for Thiokol and serving as a part-time police officer for the Willard City Police Department. He also worked as a newspaper distributor for the Ogden Standard Examiner and was a successful salesman and businessman for Arrow Electronics and Wyle Industries. In 1993, he and Marla opened a Postnet store, eventually expanding to three locations before his retirement.
Beyond his professional career, Zundel was a pilot who held a license and shared ownership in three small planes. He was an active member of the Mountain Man Rendezvous community, where he was known by various names including Wapiti, Reverend Billy Saltine, and The Twinkie Man.
Zundel is survived by his sister, Monie Westley, and brothers Wynn Zundel and Rick Zundel. His children include Jay Zundel, Tracy Zundel, and Christine Stephensen. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marla, two brothers, Robert and Steve Zundel, and a sister, Norma Dee Torgeson.
A viewing is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Willard 2nd Ward Chapel, with a funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will occur at the Willard City Cemetery. An obituary is scheduled to be published in the Box Elder News Journal on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
