John F. Von Essen

1945 - 2014

John F. Von Essen

Carmel - Von Essen, John F., age 68, of Poughquag, New York, formerly of Carmel, NY, died Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at his home.

Mr. Von Essen was born April 4, 1945 in Mahopac, New York to William A. and Virginia (Adams) Von Essen. He was graduated from Carmel High School in 1963 and had served in the Marines Corps from 1964 until 1970. Serving two tours in Viet Nam.

Mr. Von Essen married Doreen McSpedon on October 9, 1969 in Las Vegas, NV.

Mr. Von Essen was part owner and operator of William Von Essen & Sons of Patterson, NY, a Boar's Head Provisions company for 26 years.

Mr. Von Essen was an ordained minister with the Rise-Up Christian Fellowship in Kent. More recently, John belonged to the Full Gospel Center in LaGrange, NY. Through the years, he had serviced the hungry in Poughkeepsie and in Santo Domingo, as well as, financing and overseeing the construction of a church in Las Caobas, Santo Domingo, through his Ministry Jehova Proveera Ministries Inc. It was his family, however, that brought him his greatest joy.

Besides his wife Doreen of 44 years, he is survived by two daughters, Angela Von Essen of Hopewell Jct., NY and her children Destiny and Mia and Jacqueline Von Essen - Brown and her husband Cpt. Carlos Brown of Evans Mills, NY and their children, Ariela and Carlos; a brother, William Von Essen and his wife Judy of The Villages, Florida and a sister, Patricia Dazi of Stormville, NY; Three brothers-in-laws, George McSpedon of Wappingers Falls, NY, Walter McSpedon of Carmel, NY and Gregory Handy of Pleasant Valley, NY, a sister-in-law Christine McSpedon of the Hamptons. Also 7 nieces and 6 nephews and 5 great nieces and 6 great nephews.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 22, 2014 11:00 AM at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Route 52, Carmel, NY followed by a luncheon to be held in his honor. A private cremation was held earlier. Dwyer Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Patterson, NY 12563 will be assisting the family with the arrangements.www.dwyerfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers John's family has requested that donations be made to either 'the Full Gospel Center Homeless Ministry' which John loved and served for several years or you may donate to 'Operation Smile', providing surgery to children in need of cleft palate correction.

Full Gospel Center, 1138 Route 55, LaGrangeville, NY 12540 Attn: FGC Homeless Ministry. 845-452-4673 AND/OR Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23453 1-888-677-6453.

Due to burst heating pipes within the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, services are being held in the fellowship hall. Please join John's family and friends as prayers are brought forth for repairs and finances to correct this problem and restore the beautiful sanctuary to its full potential.

John Loved The Lord and Always shared that Love. He would want to leave all of us with that Love. John 3:16 & 17.