JOHN VAN ETTEN JR. Jan. 18, 1926 - May 21, 2012 Loving husband, father and grandfather, John E. Van Etten, Jr., 86, of Las Vegas, passed away May 21, 2012. He was a U.S. Navy combat veteran serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II, on the USS Marvin H McIntyre. His ship was one of the first ships to evacuate troops and provide humanitarian relief in Nagasaki, Japan. John's faith was strengthened during this time and he considered a vocation as a Catholic priest after leaving the Navy and joined the seminary. John earned a BS in mathematics from Cal Poly and San Diego State, and was considered a mathematics genius among his friends and family. After he obtained his degree, he settled back in San Diego, where he was a member of the St. Mary's Players, where he met his wife, Sue Whelan Van Etten, who preceded him in death Nov. 4, 2005. They had four lovely children and had celebrated their golden anniversary in Hawaii. John had many hobbies and interests and was involved in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Knights of Columbus. He carried the spirit of the high sea with him and collected nautical memorabilia and loved all things related to the sea and cruising. He is survived by his four children, Deborah, John III, Dorrie and Thomas; his brother, Karl; his sister, Maridel; and his grandchildren, Teresa Van Etten, and Marisa and Alex Conroy. There will be a celebration of life 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, at Palm Mortuary, 6701 N. Jones Blvd. Funeral Mass will be at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 31, at St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church, 1111 Michael Way. Graveside services will follow at 10:40 a.m., at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Buchanan Blvd., Boulder City. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Southwest Region, 6280 S. Valley View Blvd., Suite 342, Las Vegas, NV 89118, (702) 436-4220.
Arrangements under the direction of Palm Northwest Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18