CDR John F. Eliason III's Obituary
Commander John F. Eliason, II USNR Ret. of Rehoboth Beach, DE, age 89, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at the home of his son in Lewes, DE. Commander Eliason was born January 15, 1921 at home at Mt. Pleasant, DE, son of the late Clara and Morris Eliason of the Middletown, DE.
He started schooling in a one room school house in Mt. Pleasant, DE. and completed elementary and secondary schooling in Middletown, graduating in June of 1938. Following graduation he attended the University of Delaware earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in June 1942. Following graduation Commander Eliason attended the Bethlehem Steel Loop Course learning the steel business. He later enlisted in the Navy serving 4 years assigned to the Bureau of Ships, stationed in the western U.S. supervising and testing various types of combat and supply ships and craft. He was active in the Naval Reserve for 22 years retiring as Commander. He was affiliated with the Gardner-Denver Co. of Quincy, IL after WW II, assigned to sales and later in research. He also spent a brief time with the Monroe Chemical Co. of Quincy, IL. before joining the Gates Radio Co. in 1954 serving in various positions retiring in 1984 as Director of Manufacturing.
Commander Eliason was an active Scouter in the Saukee area Council serving as a Cub Master for three years, a Scout Master for five years and various positions in the Black Hawk District.
He enjoyed golf and was a past member and President of Spring Lake Country Club for two terms. He was also a member of the Quincy Country Club prior to joining the Spring Lake Club.
After retiring in 1984 he became active in the Quincy, IL Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) until March of 1986 when he and his wife relocated to Rehoboth Beach, DE.
Commander Eliason became active in the Sussex County Chapter of SCORE, the Kiwanis Club of Rehoboth Beach and the All Saints Episcopal Parish. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Rehoboth Beach for many years, serving as Interclub Chairman, nine years on the Board of Directors and as club President for the 1990-91 year. Later he became a member of the Kiwanis Foundation of Rehoboth Beach in 1990 and served on the board of Trustees and as its chairman for several years.
He was active in Church affairs Attending St. John's Episcopal Church in Quincy, IL for 36 years where he had served on the Vestry two terms and had served as President of the Diocesan Council for the Diocese of Quincy. He became active in the parish of All Saints Church in Rehoboth Beach in 1986 and had served on the vestry, as Senior Warden and as Buildings and Grounds Chairman for 10 years.
He was a member of the Rehoboth Beach Country Club and was also a past member of Shawnee Country Club and Sussex Pines Country Club, all in Sussex County.
He was proud of being a staunch Republican - conservative yet realistic.
Commander Eliason was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Carolyn in 2000 and a daughter Anne in 1991. He is survived by his son Craig and his wife Sharon of Lewes, DE; grandsons Larry of Lincoln and Andrew of Lewes; great-grandson Derek of Lincoln, DE and Sarah of Lewes, DE.
All services are private. Interment will be private at the family plot in Old Forrest Cemetery, Middletown, DE. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Kiwanis Foundation of Rehoboth Beach, DE, P0 Box 786, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Sign online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com
PDF Printable Version
What’s your fondest memory of CDR?
What’s a lesson you learned from CDR?
Share a story where CDR's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with CDR you’ll never forget.
How did CDR make you smile?