John Eelkema, 91, was called to his eternal home Sept. 17, 2003. John was born in Conrad, Mont., in 1912, and at an early age moved to Oak Harbor. In 1938 he married Anna May Helfrich. John worked in Mount Vernon several years, then moved to Bellingham where he worked for Hohl Feed Company. In 1959 he opened Broadview Nursery, which later became Broadview Appliance. In 1985 John retired and devoted his time to family and his hobby of fishing.

John Eelkema was a member of First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor. He is survived by: his wife of 65 years, Anna May Eelkema; by six children: Leland Eelkema and wife Mary of Anacortes, Nancy Bartleson and husband Vance of Seattle, Jeannette Haakonson and husband John, Stan Eelkema and wife Marilyn, Jim Eelkema and wife Ann, and Ken Eelkema and wife Diane, all of Oak Harbor; also three brothers, Gerard Eelkema and Edward Eelkema of Oak Harbor, and Nick Eelkema and wife Marie of Ripon, Calif.; one sister, Nell Kingma and husband Richard of Mount Vernon. John is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grand children.

Funeral services will be at First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor Monday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to First Reformed Church Memorial Fund.

Arrangements under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.