John Gerald Erkelens

John Gerald Erkelens 1921 ~ 2014 John Gerald Erkelens of Fountain Hills, Arizona, passed away peacefully at a care facility near his home, Tuesday March 4, 2014. He was 92. John was born September 3, 1921 in Rotterdam, Holland to Leedert and Maria Virens Erkelens. They immigrated to the US through Ellis Island in 1923 and eventually settled in Ogden, Utah. John served an LDS mission to the California Mission where he met Evelyn Denning. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in June of 1944. That same year John was inducted into the Army and served in occupied Japan until 1946. His faith was a significant part of his life. He served as Bishop of the Butler 1st Ward, Stake Patriarch of the West Jordan Utah West Stake, Stake President of the new West Jordan Utah Oquirrh Stake and again as Patriarch of the Salt Lake Cottonwood Heights Stake. He is preceded in death by Evelyn, his wife of 63 years. He is survived by his five sons; Jerry (Janet), Tom (Kris), Brent (Rick) all of Salt Lake City, Utah and by Craig (Dennis) of Seattle, Washington and Scott (Jean) of Fountain Hills, Arizona. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 15, 2014, 11:00 a.m. at Mountain View Memorial Estates Chapel, 3115 East 7800 South with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the cemetery at 12:00 noon next to his beloved wife Evelyn. Arrangements under the direction of McDougal Funeral Home. Place of Birth:Rotterdan, HollandPlace of Death:Scottsdale, Arizona