John Robert Little Eilander

John Robert Little-Eilander passed away peacefully on Friday, June 30, 2023. He was surrounded by family and those who loved him. He was born to John Arthur Little and Edna Georgina Peterson Eilander on December 8, 1930, in Ogden, Utah.
He attended Wilson Elementary School and graduated from Weber High School in 1950. He later attended Weber College. John also served in the Army during the Korean Conflict.
He married his first wife, Joylene Pettit, on March 9, 1951, in Ogden, UT. Together they had six children. Early in their marriage they lived on the Eilander family farm where John helped his step-father, Wessel Eilander, keep the farm going. After 13 years of marriage, Joylene and John were divorced. He then married Marie Caroline Tingey on April 1, 1966, in Evanston, WY. Marie was the mother of five children, and John and Marie were married for 39 years.
John worked for 38 years at Weber State University as a Building Maintenance Engineer. He was one of the original security officers at Weber College, and spent many nights there making sure the campus was safe and secure.
He was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. He was a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, served as Ward Clerk, and was a mutual leader for his church.
John loved gardening and was at his happiest when his hands and knees were in the rich earth. His gardens and flowers were the talk of the neighborhood. He drew peace and strength from nature. He enjoyed camping with family and found joy in the out of doors. John enjoyed traveling which led him on many adventures to the south. He loved visiting family in Texas and New Orleans. His passion was clock making, where he would relish in fixing and repairing antique clocks. Family was everything to John, and he loved spending time with his family, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. John was loved by all who knew him. His sense of humor was legend and his ability to spin tall tales was classic. Right up to the very end, he was a devious prankster.
The family would like to extend a thank you to Atlas Homecare and Hospice, his nurses, Rebecca and Crystal and his physical therapists, Tyler and Skylar. A special thank you to Crystal, his devoted nurse for many years, whom he sincerely loved. Many thanks to Dr. Wyatt West at Tanner Clinic, Dr. Gregory Almony at Northern Utah Cardiology, the doctors and nurses and staff at Stonehenge of Ogden, as well as to the doctors and nurses on the 3rd floor at Ogden Regional Hospital, who cared for dad during the last moments of his life. Thank you, Teresa Haney, for watching over dad at Stonehenge and for your excellent advice and care. A huge thank you to our brother Steven, for the many years of caregiving, hard work, love, and dedication that he so unconditionally gave to our father, and to his daughter, Sandra, who spent many hours running errands, sitting with dad, and making dinners for them. Thanks to all, too numerous to mention, who had a hand in giving care and comfort to our father in his years of need.
John is survived by his children: Catherine Dickinson (Maurice Claytor), Christine (Gary) Weicks, Johnene Nehls, Sandra (Todd) Cook, Steven (Michelle) Eilander, daughter-in-law: Penny Eilander, and step-children: Robert Wright, JoAnn (Christopher) Carter, Diane (Scott) Jacobson, and Steven (Debbie) Wright. Also surviving are 29 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren, and 31 great-great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters, his first wife: Joylene Pettit, his second wife: Marie Eilander, his son: Ricky Eilander, his step son: Jerry Wright, his sons-in-law: Arthur Nehls and Darrell Dickinson, his grandson: Adam Jacobson, and great-granddaughters: Nevaeh and Teyrrah Andrea Eilander.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Viewings will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. The service and viewings will both be held at Myers Mortuary, 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, Utah. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery in Brigham City, Utah. Military Honors will be presented by the American Legion Post #009.
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