John Cornelius Lekkerkerk

He was a loving husband, father, Opa, brother, and friend. He was the anchor to his family and known for being a jokester with a heart of gold. Overall, John had a good life.

He was born on October 17, 1956 in Artesia, CA to Lane and Audrey Lekkerkerk. He was the oldest brother to Janet, Marilyn, Linda, and Eddy. Shortly after he was born, the Lekkerkerk family settled in Chino, CA where they owned a dairy farm. John grew up raising calves, milking cows, dealing with scrap metal, and other chores around the farm. He graduated from Chino High in 1973. From there, he worked on his family’s dairy. A few years later, he earned his A.S. from Mt. San Antonio College.

He started dating the love of his life in his early twenties. John and Wilma started dating and never looked back. They got married on July 16, 1981. Three years later they welcomed their firstborn daughter, Joanna (’84). After that they had three more daughters: Michelle (’86), Jennifer (’88), and Christina (’94). John was loving father who was always there for his kids. His daughters will miss his random phone calls, sage advice, and general goofiness. The grandkids will miss their playful and silly Opa.

John worked on the dairy most of his life. When he wasn’t working, he loved to eat and see and do new things. John loved to travel. Whether it was a car trip with his family, a visit to Hawaii, or off galivanting Europe, he had an adventurous soul. He especially loved cruises and enjoyed visiting the Caribbean, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, the Mediterranean. Before going on a trip, John would research all the places that he needed to see, do, and eat. Before buying anything, he would do his research. He always wanted to make sure he was getting a good deal—such a Dutchman.

John was also incredibly handy. He could fix, build, or repair almost anything. In his later years, John found a lot of joy finding, fixing, and reselling wheelbarrows and handcarts.

John wore many hats (in addition to his actual John Deere hat he would always wear): he was a dairyman, a deacon, he worked at a car auction, was a security personnel for Live Nation, worked for a food bank, was a DFA delegate for his district, and built buses for New Flyer. He always kept busy and loved working with his hands.

Then in 2017, John’s life changed when he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). He wanted to live, so on March 1, 2018, John underwent a double lung transplant. For over two years, John endured—through the pain, the pills, and major life adjustments. However, he never took life for granted.

Then on December 14, 2020, after not feeling well, Wilma dropped John off at UCSD. On December 16, 2020, John was placed on a ventilator due to multiple health concerns going on. This was the last time John spoke to his family. Finally, on January 8, 2020, the doctors could not do more for John; his body was tired. He was placed on comfort care and his immediate family got a chance to say goodbye. John passed away at 5:55 pm holding Wilma’s hand. John is now in his heavenly home.

John’s warmth, laughter, and devilish grin be greatly missed by many. He leaves behind his wife, Wilma as well as his daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren: Joanna, Jared, Lily (6) and James (5); Michelle and Kyle; Jennifer, George, Weston (5), and Gwen (2); Christina and Sam; his siblings Janet, Marilyn, Linda, and Eddy and all of their respected families. John is now reunited with his father and mother, Lane and Audrey Lekkerkerk.

Viewing will be held at Draper Mortuary, 811 N. Mountain Avenue, Ontario, CA 91762 on Friday, February 5, 2021 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. The mortuary kindly requests that all attendees wear face masks and observe the health department's guest limit of no more than 10 guests inside the chapel at any given time.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Draper-Mortuary.com for the Lekkerkerk family.