John is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Darlene Mae Eilders; brother Ben (Vera) Eilders; daughter Nancy Fallas; son John K. (Penny) Eilders; daughters Susan (Chris Jones) Keddy-Jones, Judy Eilders, Sandra (Brian) Morris; 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his sister Tena Steenhardt, brother Delbert Eilders, third grandchild Candace Keddy and is celebrating with them and others today in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus.
John had a full life at 95 years. He lived through the depression, lost his father to death at only 6 years old, while his youngest brother was yet to be born, and became the “man of the house”. He took odd jobs to care for his mother, older sister and younger brothers but loved to share stories about fun and games they would dream up without any money.
At the age of 17, Pearl Harbor was attacked and John, with friends, enlisted in the Navy shortly thereafter. John could not swim but was assured the fall from battleships would kill him so there was no need to worry.
After the war, John came back home to Iowa. While working at Solar Aircraft in Des Moines, he completed business school and earned an accounting degree. In 1950, he moved back to Sibley, Iowa where he met Darlene, and they were married that same year.
They were blessed with four children and a job opportunity with Aerojet brought them to CA in 1960. In 1961, their fifth child was born. John worked at Aerojet for eleven years, after which he started his own business in Shingle Springs (The Frosty on Motherlode Dr). He later sold that business and began working for HR Textron, then Purolator, both in So Cal. He retired in 1987, not by choice, moved back to Shingle Springs and enjoyed his children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors, church members and anyone else he met for many years.
John was one of the most personable people you would ever meet. Always ready with a handshake and a smile, he portrayed the grace given to him by God in Jesus to everyone he encountered.
Friends are invited to join the family at a Memorial Service to be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019, 2:00 p.m. at Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., Cameron Park, CA. Arrangements entrusted to Chapel of the Pines, 530-622-3813. While we all will miss him dearly, we rejoice in knowing he is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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