John William Suderman

John was born in Littlefield, Texas to Gerhard Suderman and Anna Ewert. As an infant, his family moved to Rancho Capay, near Chico, California, where they were members of a German-Russian Mennonite community. At the age of 20, John began working at the McClellan Air Field in Sacramento as a junior aircraft mechanic. During WWII John served as a medic with the 492nd Port Battalion stationed in the Solomon Islands, attaining the rank of Tec-5. At the end of the war John sustained a back injury while serving in Japan. As he was recovering at San Francisco's Letterman Hospital he began courting Irene Bankson, with whom he had corresponded during his time overseas.

John and Irene were married in 1947 in Fresno, California. Their two sons were born in Fresno where John worked as a carpenter and home builder, followed by a daughter born in Modesto. By this time, John was baling hay in the Patterson area and building houses during the winters. In the early 1960s John began working for Stanislaus County as a carpenter, retiring in 1985 after 19 years of service. John and Irene were able to travel throughout the U.S. before her sudden passing in 1994. In 1996 John found love again, marrying Lynette Owen, a long-time family acquaintance. They were married for three years before her passing in 1999. He has also been blessed with special friendships and church fellowship after joining the congregation of North Modesto Church of God. John enjoyed southern gospel music, gardening and sharing the fruits of his labor. In addition to Irene and Lynette, John is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Esther. He is survived by sisters Louise Olinger and Martha Porter, sons David Suderman (SueAnn), Tim Suderman (Debbie); and daughter Rebecca Vaidman Crump (Ron); 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Sutter Home Health, particularly Lisa, and the medical professionals at Memorial Medical Center who gently cared for our father in his final days.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 11, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Avenue, Hughson, California, in the Riverside Chapel. Visitation will be Sunday, February 10th from 5-8 p.m. at the same location