SAUWEN, John George

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 04/09/2004 John G. Sauwen, 88, died Monday, April 5, 2004 at his home in Woodruff. Mr. Sauwen was born Dec. 27, 1915 in Sandwich, Essex County, Ontario, Canada. In 1927-29 he attended school at the College Notre Dame in Montreal, then decided to become a Catholic Monk and joined the Holy Cross monastery. He began to teach high school in Quebec in the French language. There he also directed the choir and organized plays two-three times a year. On a doctors advice John had quit teaching. In 1939, he joined the Intelligence Division of the Canadian Essex Scottish Regiment. John was secretary to the commanding general of the Essex Regiment. He took part in the raid on Dieppe, France in 1942. He was taken prisoner and became a POW in Germany until 1945. John became an American Citizen Oct. 30, 1951 and resided in Detroit, Michigan. In 1952 he began working for General Motors as a clerk and eventually became an engineer. One of his responsibilities was to develop a buying guide for air tools. In 1971, John retired and moved to Tempe. In 1979 he met his wife, Merla Lupher who introduced him to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John and Merla were married in 1980 and lived in Phoenix for a year before moving to Woodruff. Since then he has always been active in his church, and served as a clerk to six bishops. John and Merla served a mission in New Orleans, Louisiana after Merla's retirement. John will be remembered for his pleasant nature and willingness to give and share his time and talents. John loved his family and helped them in many ways. His family is grateful for family members and friends, and for the faith, prayers and service of the Woodruff community during his illness. His family also has great appreciation for RTA Hospice. John is survived by his wife, Merla of Woodruff; two daughters, Carol Sauwen of Detroit, Michigan and Susan Tarbet of Georgetown, Texas; two sons, Ken Cluff of Mapleton, Utah and Jay Falco of Orem, Utah; 13 grandchildren; four brothers, Jean Sauwen, Pierre Sauwen, and Leon Sauwen of Belgium, and Bill Watson of West Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents George Sauwen and Ernestine Girardot and a great grandson Christopher Huyck. Funeral services were held Thursday, April 8 at the Woodruff Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will be in the Woodruff Cemetery. See www.owensmortuary.com to sign an online guest book or to leave condolences for the family.