John William Koning

John William Koning 1924 ~ 2005 John W. Koning, 81, returned to his Heavenly Father after complications with pneumonia on April 26, 2005. John was born February 21, 1924, in Sandy City, Utah, to John Koning and Sadie Koster. He married Jeannette Jongkees on November 24, 1961, in Rosemead, California. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Laie, Hawaii, LDS Temple. At age 17, John joined the U.S. Navy and served his country during World War II on the USS Lexington and in Dunkeswell, England, with the Fleet Air Wing Seven. He later served in the Korean War. After retiring from the Navy, John worked at Hill Air Force Base as an aircraft mechanic supervisor where he later retired. John's passion was flying. He was a skilled pilot and enjoyed flying his open cockpit biplane as a crop duster and participating in air shows. He also had tremendous artistic talent and created many beautiful oil paintings. John served his community by volunteering at The Traveler's Aid Society. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Hill Aerospace Museum in Roy, Utah. With his wife Jeannette, John served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Family History Library from 1997 to 1999. John is survived by his wife, Jeannette; two children, Nancy (Dave Dixon), John (Tiffany Koning); stepdaughter, Patti Hennessy; and nine grandchildren, Jessica and Caitlin Dixon, Jennie Ren, Annie Green, David M. Dixon, Mercede, Kylee, Morgan and Brinley Koning. A viewing will be held Friday, April 29, 2005, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Heideman Mortuary, 170 S. Mall Drive, St. George, Utah. A second viewing will be held Sunday, May 1, 2005, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Memorial Estates, 3115 E. Bengal Blvd. (7800 S.), Salt Lake City, Utah. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 2, 2005, 11:00 a.m., at the Salt Lake Stake Center, 142 W. 200 N., Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at Memorial Estates, 3115 E. Bengal Blvd., Salt Lake City, Utah.