John "Jack" Eklund's Obituary
GARRETTSVILLE John "Jack" Eklund, 87 years of age, passed away Thursday November 26, 2009 at The Pines at Brooks House in Troy Township, where he had resided since 2008. Mr. Eklund was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 20, 1922, the son of the late Egner and Ruth (Griffin) Eklund. He was a former resident of Lakewood, graduating from Lakewood High School in 1940. Mr. Eklund was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, serving from 1940-1945 on both the USS Ingham and USS Callaway in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, a proud Coast Guard seaman b involved in numerous sea battles. A resident of Garrettsville from 1945-1985, he was employed as a machine repairman at Chrysler Twinsburg Stamping Plant retiring in 1985. He was a retired member of United Auto Workers Local No. 122 in Twinsburg. Following retirement, he made 2 around the world cruises as part of the Semester at Sea in 1999 and 2004. From 1999-2006 he resided in Painesville and from 2006-2008 in Willoughby. Mr. Eklund held Lifetime Memberships in the VFW Post No. 1055 in Ravenna and No. 7754 in Fairport Harbor, the USCGC Ingham Association and the Friends of Morley Library in Painesville. He also was a member of Garrettsville Masonic Lodge No. 246 F.&A.M. for over 50 years. He enjoyed painting of Light Houses and Boats that he did for many years. On September 7, 1943, he married Jane Eklund, who preceded him in death in 1984. Survivors include his son Robert (Karen) Eklund of Lakewood, daughters Susan (Ed) Eklund-Leen of Kettering, Ohio and Sara (Warren) Eklund-Payne of Painesville, as well as 2 granddaughters Megan Wagner and Holly Eklund and 1 great-grandson Keith Wagner. Visitation will be Thursday December 10, 2009 from 3:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M. at the Green Family Funeral Home & Crematory Service, St. Rt. 44 at the corner of Pioneer Trail (S. of Rt. 422) Mantua, where Masonic Services will begin at 4:00 P.M. A private family burial will be at Park Cemetery in Garrettsville. His family requests NO FLOWERS PLEASE, and that memorial donations be made in his name to a charity of the donor's choice. His obituary may be viewed online at www.greenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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