June 24, 2010
Hello Friends: You can contribute by "lighting a candle", adding a favorite photo, writing a story. Attachments can be added to stories, so you can attach a scanned newspaper article, photo.. Thanks from John's family.
John Charles von Colln passed away June 20, 2010 from leukemia and other medical complications at his home in Lake Havasu City, AZ at the age of 73 with his wife Sandra and son John at his side.
He was born in West Cape May, NJ on June 6, 1937 to John and Margaret (Moser) von Colln.
John grew up in Cape May, met the love of his life Sandra and married September 24, 1956. They were High School sweethearts (John (17) the football player, Sandra (16) the cheerleader).
While serving in the US Army as an MP, he was part of the 1957 Honor Guard in New York City for the visit of young Queen Elizabeth (he said she was cute) and was on escort detail in Europe for that theater’s candidate to be the WWII “Unknown Soldier” who later joined the Pacific Theater candidate, one of which was secretly chosen for Arlington Cemetery. Other cold war duties included prisoner exchange (train) trips into the Soviet Union.
John joined the local Cape May Police Department upon leaving the Army and later was a guard at the NJ State Penitentiary in Yardville, NJ. He and his mother were instrumental in the formation and activities of the Cape May volunteer rescue squad.
In 1963 John, his wife Sandra and their 2 children (Deborah, Kurt), Sandra carrying soon to be son John moved to Ontario, California.
John served on the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department until he was injured in 1975. His service with the department included positions of Deputy, Detective in the Identification Bureau and West End, Sergeant - Watch Commander and he was a leader of the West End Search and Rescue Team. In 1965 he was awarded “Outstanding Deputy” of the year. He was a graduate from Chaffey College and Pepperdine University and taught police science classes to high school students in the regional occupational program of the Ontario Montclair School District.
In 1976 John became a Private Investigator and Polygraphist working in 7 California counties and 3 states. He worked in this profession for over 25 years and became very well known for his criminal investigative skills and thoroughness. His proudest moments included opportunities to prove the innocence of wrongfully accused clients and the location of missing and kidnapped children.
In 2002, John and Sandra retired to Lake Havasu City, AZ full time.
John had a love for boating all of his life. John started fishing off the coast of NJ as a youth with his father and on commercial boats as he became older. He shared his love for boating with his kids at Lake Havasu starting in the mid 60s, he, his wife and kids enjoyed ocean boating from the 70s-90s everywhere between San Diego and Santa Barbara and at the Channel Islands. In 1988 John and Sandra were named “Cruisers of the Year” by the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club of Channel Islands Harbor, California, where they lived on their power boat for over 4 years.
He had an equal love for automotive projects. Though he chose a different line of work than his father, owning an auto body business (Congress Garage), he was drawn back to this as a hobby rebuilding several vehicles and boats as his kids grew up. He participated in the building of an off road vehicle for the Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Team when the county didn’t have resources to allocate what they needed.
John was a member of the International Police Association, California Fingerprint Association and “Star” (hosting German Police personnel).
John and Sandra renewed their wedding vows at a lovely church in Germany on their 50th Anniversary, in September of 2006, and celebrated their 53rd Anniversary this past September.
John is survived by his wife Sandra (Scott), Children: Deborah Ann Whiteley (Kevin), Kurt John von Colln, John von Colln (Corinne) and Grandchildren: Jonathan Nicholas Whiteley and Nicholas Sterling von Colln, Brother Eldon (Butch) R. von Colln (Mary), Brother-in-law: William C. Scott (Sandy), many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Lake Havasu City Mortuary and Crematory are in charge of arrangements. A private memorial service will be held in California at a later date.
In lieu of flowers.., the family prefers donations be made in John’s name to: New Hope Hospice of Arizona, 500 N. Lake Havasu Ave. #B106, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403, 928-854-4200.