John William DeWaal

John was born June 21, 1919 in Logan, Utah to William DeWaal and Lena Zbinden. He passed peacefully to his waiting family and sweetheart, Myra on February 5, 2017.

John grew up in Salt Lake City and attended South High. He married Hazel  Ellsworth Thompson  and had 2 children, John and Venita. Later divorced and married Myra Winegar in the Salt Lake Temple. They had 6 more children.  John and Myra sponsored Ly Tran as a Vietnam refugee after the war. Ly has been a part of the family since.

John started an Auto Body shop in 1947 in West Bountiful, originally known as “John’s Paintin’ Place”, later renamed DeWaal and Sons. John faithfully served with the youth of the church and loved missionary work. He served many years as a Stake Missionary, and served 2 missions with his wife, Myra. One to Michigan and one to Tennessee. John loved hunting, fishing, boating and camping with his family. He loved music and played the harmonica for all who would listen. One of his greatest joys was Temple work. He was a faithful weekly Temple patron well into his 90’s, until his health declined.

John had a fervent testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and loved to share it.  He was a zealous missionary and no one escaped his enthusiastic efforts!  John walked the streets of West Bountiful every day, memorizing quotes and scriptures as he went. He remembered many of them for years.

John loved people and it showed. He was a kind, happy man. He will be missed dearly by many.

He is preceded in death by his sweetheart, Myra Winegar DeWaal and all 7 of his siblings, Mary Cook, Johanna Cook, Cornelia Von Niederhausern, Violet Hawkes, Lucille Westerman, his twin sister Irene Rogers, and brother, Fred. And one grandson, Gregg DeWaal.

He is survived by all eight of his children, John H DeWaal (Shauna), Venita Staker (Robert), Lagrand  DeWaal (Ricki), Pauline Ferree, Myra Lynn Salmon ( John), Earl W. DeWaal (Vickie), Lavaun Dalton (Tom),  and Michael DeWaal (Kristi). 55 Grandchildren, 165 Great Grandchildren, and 14 Great, Great Grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Friday February 10, 2017 at 11:00 am at the West Bountiful First Ward, 350 North 800 West, West Bountiful, Utah.  Viewings, Thursday February 9, 2017 from 6-8 pm at Russon Brothers in Bountiful, 295 N Main Street and 9:30-10:30 am prior to the funeral service at the church.

Many thanks and our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at North Canyon Care Center and the Branch Presidency, Relief Society Presidency and members of the North Canyon branch. Your kindness was appreciated.