John R. Eling Jr., age 49, of Lakeland, MN, passed away on June 26, 2014 at Regions Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. John was born on August 15, 1964 in St. Paul, MN to John R. Sr. and JoAnn “Jo” (Rodgers) Eling. He attended grade school at Afton-Lakeland Elementary, and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1982.
Following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving for three years over seas in the Philippines and Okinawa. Upon his return, he began fueling aircraft for Signature Flight Support at the Twin Cities International Airport, a company he worked for for 15 years. He also worked for Coca-Cola and LifeTouch Photography.
On June 30, 1990, he was united in marriage to Paulene Rose Stoerzinger at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Lake St. Croix Beach, MN. Their marriage would be blessed with four children: Nicholas, Jessica, Antony, and Charlene.
John enjoyed nature and spending time outdoors canoeing and camping. He was an avid vegetable gardener, and had a love for photography. John enjoyed spending time with his friends, and listening to classic rock music. He played softball for many years, and after, enjoyed coaching his children’s teams. John was a big history buff, with a special interest in wars. He enjoyed reading western books and was a dog lover.
John is survived by his wife, Paulene of Lakeland, MN; children: Nicholas Eling, Jessica Eling, Antony Eling, and Charlene Eling, all of Lakeland, MN; father, John Sr. of Lakeland, MN; sister, Kelly (Doug) Goplin of Hudson, WI; niece and nephew, Kara and Trenton; mother-in-law, Judy Stoerzinger of Lakeland, MN, as well as all of the extended Stoerzinger family. He is preceded in death by his mother, JoAnn; grandparents, Otis and Shirley Eling & Albert and Fran Rodgers; and father-in-law, Bernard Stoerzinger.
A memorial gathering of friends and family will be held from 5:30 to 7:30PM on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 16770 13th St. South, Lake St. Croix Beach, MN. Memorials are preferred to the family. Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home.