John Carl Wilcken passed peacefully on October 15th, 2024, after an 18-month struggle with pancreatic cancer.
John was born April 21st, 1952, in Rexburg Idaho to Millie Lyman and Lane LaGrand Wilcken.
He attended elementary school in St. Anthony, Idaho; Twin Falls, Idaho; and Mesa, Arizona. He spent his junior high years in Mesa on double sessions at Mesa Junior High as a Kino Colt, while Kino was being built. He began his Sophomore year at Westwood Highschool. When his parents divorced in 1968, he went to live with his uncle Asael Lyman in Sugar City, Idaho and attended Sugar-Salem Highschool. In the middle of his Senior year, he moved to California where he graduated from Vacaville Highschool in 1970.
As a teenager, John excelled in swimming, diving, gymnastics, football, art, acting, and singing. He also earned his Eagle Scout award with his father as his Scout Master.
In August of 1971, John began a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints in California, in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. He served faithfully for two years. When he returned home, he spent one semester at BYU in Provo, Utah. In January of 1974, he transferred his schooling to Mesa, Arizona where he met Jerrilyn Hall in an LDS Institute class and fell “like a ton of bricks” in love. They were married June 4th, 1974, in the Salt Lake Temple. He was happy they were recently able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
John and Jerrilyn lived in Logan, Utah; Smithfield, Utah; St. Anthony, Idaho; Rexburg, Idaho; Newbury Park, California; and finally Mesa, Arizona where they lived and raised eleven children in the 46th ward of the Mesa East Stake for over forty years. His cancer diagnosis necessitated a recent move to Queen Creek, Arizona to be closer to several of their children.
John is preceded in death by both of his parents; brothers, David and Willis; sister, Mary Landreth; and granddaughter, Sasha. He is survived by his wife, Jerrilyn, and their eleven children– Christi (Ryan) Alder, Melissa (Shay) Tyler, Tiffany (Danjee) Moser, Emily (Brad) Welchman, Scott (Becky) Wilcken, Katie (Mike) McAllister, Heidi (Robert) Richardson, Preston (Sharon) Wilcken, Breanna (Jordan) Taylor, Aubrie (Cameron) Cortez, and Logan Wilcken, 47 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Bonnie Burnett; sister-in-law, Millie Wilcken, and brother-in-law, Bill Landreth.
We will miss his larger-than-life personality, his booming laugh, his love of people, and his example of faith and goodness.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Jerrilyn at the following link:
https://www.venmo.com/u/Jerrilyn-Wilcken
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
My love and prayers are with you.
Jerrilyn ….so sorry to hear of John’s Passing
Had a happy and positive influence on all he met
He loved you with all his heart and so proud of your children and grandchildren
Our thoughts and prayers always
My heart is heavy for you and your family Jerrilyn. You are in my endless prayers for strength, comfort and healing as you embark on this life altering journey. God speed beautiful Jerrilyn!
My condolences Wilcken Family and Jerrilyn, I was unable to attend the funeral, and although I never met Brother Wilcken, I can tell he is an extra special man, father, husband by you and Melissa Tyler, who I know. May Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ welcome him home and surround you all with His angels to protect you and guide you until you meet again. You are all in my prayers and thoughts..