John “Jack” Slotemaker, 86, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2017, surrounded by family.
Jack was born Dec. 12, 1930, at the family home in Ferndale. He was the second of six children of Neil and Sylvia (Nieveen) Slotemaker. He graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1948.
Seeing the draft coming, Jack joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War and saw duty in Germany and France. When he received his orders to go overseas, he married the love of his life, Shirley Louise Wilder, on Aug. 6, 1951, at her parents’ home in Lynden.
After his Army service, Jack and Shirley lived in Eugene, Oregon, and Mount Vernon, Washington, before settling in Burlington, where they remained for 36 years in a house across the street from the city park. Jack made a living as a milk processor. He retired in 1995, later living in Hoodsport, Washington; Yuma, Arizona; and Sun Lakes.
Jack was a patient gentle man who devoted his life to his wife and family, all of whom loved him fiercely and miss him beyond words. He enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing and clamming, was always up for a game of catch, and showed us all that a road trip is the best way to get anywhere.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Melvin and Ivan, and brothers-in-law Les Barry and Gene Ernster.
Jack is survived by his wife, Shirley; children Dean Slotemaker, Jake Slotemaker, Nancy Slotemaker (Loretta Spencer), Jackie Weston (Jack) and Michele Slotemaker (Kristin); grandchildren Jason and Joseph Slotemaker, Christopher and Jeremy Weston, David, Theo and Ruby Slotemaker; and one great-grandson, Spencer Jack Slotemaker; also sisters Arlene Barry Ernster and Ruth Hershberger (Hank); sister-in-law Judy Slotemaker; brother Gerry Slotemaker (Jane); and many other extended family members.
There were no services. Jack will be laid to rest in Monumenta Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12.
