John Abeltins
March 04, 2012
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
John Randall Abeltins, 76, passed away March 5, 2012, at Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. He was born June 23, 1935, in Latvia, to Edouards and Zenta Abeltins. John came to America with his parents, sister, and brother, and moved from Pennsylvania to Audubon, Iowa.
He joined the Unites States Marines after high school graduation. John was an Iowa State Trooper for 37 years, retiring in 1996. He was a member of Westchester Evangelical Free Church in Des Moines.
His love of life, family and friends made him special to everyone that knew him.
John was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Joan; son, Lonn (Robin) Abeltins and granddaughter, Chelsea; daughter, Peg (Scott) Whitehurst and grandson, Ian; son, Mike Abeltins; step-daughter, Leslie (Scott) Christensen and grandchildren, Aidan and Camden; step-son, Brian (Wendy) Beal and grandchildren, Dakota and Zayne; sister, Astrida (Zig) Riders; niece, Karlina; nephew, Marcus (Erin) and baby Zenta; and his brother, Jake (Betty Ann) Abeltins.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 9, 2012, at Westchester Evangelical Free Church, 4919 Aurora Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50310, with burial at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 8, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westchester Evangelical Free Church, or the Lewey Body Dementia Association, www.lbda.org, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, GA 30047, in loving memory of John Abeltins.
Online condolences may be made to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Ronald L Fraker
03/28/2012
Joan, So sorry to here John passed, wish I would have heard sooner. I always enjoyed our visits and the stories of Johns career with the patrol. Somewhere I have the article of John alerting ankeny about the tornado,must try to find that for you. Great neighbors, great memories. God bless, Ron
Frank and Sande Kitterman
03/11/2012
I knew John for over 50 years and will miss him for the rest of my life. I will miss talking to him about the times he would stop by the house in Saylorville and I would go for a ride along in his cruiser. I will miss talking to him about his many exploits in the State Patrol. When I moved to Minnesota we kept in touch and had snowmobile trips that were legendary. He was with me when I married Sande, helped us escape the reception and met us for breakfast the next day.
I will miss his visits to our house in Florida and spending time with him in Urbandale. I will miss being able to pick up the phone and catch up with what he and Joan were up to. I will miss the ability to create more history with John and most of all our friendship. There is a hole in my life now that can not be filled. He touched many lives and I am privileged to be one of them.
You all have our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Frank and Sande
Doug and Kathy Talkington
03/09/2012
Peg, our prayers go out to you and your family. May God provide you comfort and strength through these difficult times. We love you.
Michael McMurry
03/08/2012
To the memory of a great man and public servant. Michael McMurry
Janet -White-Clark
03/08/2012
Peggy-----Sorry for the loss of your Dad. I was your first grade teacher in Ankeny and I wanted you to know I was thinking of you during this difficult time.
Janet White Clark
Tim Hamann
03/08/2012
Lonn, sorry to hear about your father. Sounds like he was a good father and American.
Jeff Wilharm
03/08/2012
Peg, Lonn, Mike, Robin, Scott, Joan
Remember, you never walk alone.
May Jesus Christ be your strength through this and every day of your life.
My prayers are with you,
Jeff
Traci (Whitman) Elwell
03/08/2012
My thought and prayers are with the whole Abeltins family, John was an Amazing man,May god give you comfort in this very difficult time.
Max & Marilyn Klinger
03/07/2012
Joan and family: Our sympathy to you all. May God be with you and may you find comfort in your memories.
Janet Ackert
03/07/2012
Peg,
I remember your Dad coming home from a job where his life was in danger every day but you would never know it...he was so happy to see you guys and be home. He was always busy re-building cars or woking on duplexes - very industrious. It was amazing he found the time to coach our girls softball team...he was a great coach and taught us how to bunt, slide, steal bases, box players in; we were far more advanced then the other teams. He was a very patient and kind teacher.
He was always there Friday to watch Lonn play football, he was so proud.
You were all very lucky to have John as your father, thank you for sharing him with me. I loved him very, very much.
Love
Janet Ackert
Ron and Barb
03/07/2012
Dear Ones in Christ----you have our deepest smpathy==we remember John with grateful hearts--thankful for the gift he was to so many people. May your family be comforted by the amazing grace of God. Psalm 23 reminds us of the Good Shepherd who prepares a place for us in Glory-- You are all in our prayers--we will be remembering you this week---in Christ Ron and Barb
Barb Porter
03/07/2012
Peg - My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Julie Cenci
03/07/2012
Lonn,
We are very sorry for the loss of your father. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
The Staff at OnSite Engineering & Forensic Services, Inc.
Deb Penney
03/07/2012
Hi Joan,
I'm just in shock and I know you are too. John was a very sweet man and, I'm sure, a wonderful husband. Please don't be lonely. He would want you to continue to live your life to the fullest. Let me know when we can get together in Ankeny for lunch. I'm here for support if you need me.
w. mitchell
03/07/2012
for Peg Whitehurst
We want to extend our sympathies to you on the loss of your father. May
memories of days gone by soothe you during this time of sadness.
We will have good thoughts for you and yours.
Sarah Mitchell Fagen and her father.