John David Krizin

John David Jerome Krizin, age 72, passed on to the next life peacefully on Sunday, March 10th, 2024, at his home in Orem, Utah, surrounded by his cherished wife and daughters.

He was born September 19th, 1951, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Frederick Gabriel Krizin and Margaret Mildred (Stefanik) Krizin. He is also preceded in death by Dorothy (Boll) Krizin, whom John called his second mother.  John married the love of his life, Diane Marie (Topper) Krizin, in the Washington D.C. Temple on May 1, 1981. John and Diane were blessed with five children: Gabriel Jerome (Dana) Krizin, Margaret Catherine (Blake) Leszczynski, Elizabeth Diane Krizin, Abraham John Krizin, and Jacob David Krizin.

John loved his country and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 19. He served during the Vietnam War in various locations, including Okinawa, Japan, and the Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam while it was being bombed. He also enlisted in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and the Utah Air National Guard. He served for a total 11 years and was honorably discharged from all 3. The missionaries found John in 1979, and he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served faithfully for years. He delighted in holidays, theater and shows, photography, and spending time with his family. John was a loving and playful husband, father, and grandfather to his family, who cherished him dearly. 

John suffered from PTSD and multiple brain injuries as a child and during the war while serving his country. This greatly affected his cognitive ability, impacting every aspect of his life – including his career and relationships. Despite these challenges, John was a tender and thoughtful man who cared for friends and strangers and loved to make people smile.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, and their five children; six grandchildren – Bentley, Deklan, and Atticus Krizin; Ava and Isla Leszczynski; and Bianka Szauter. He is also survived by his sisters and brother – Celeste Patricia Krizin (Tony Craven), Margaret Rose (John) Urban, and Stephen Thomas (Mary) Krizin; step-brother, Ernest F. (Sandra) Boll; and step-sister, Patricia Y. (Edward) Himes. He was called Uncle John David by his many nieces and nephews. 

An evening viewing for family and friends will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024, from 6-8 PM at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, UT.

Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at noon at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, with a viewing held that morning from 10:30-11:30 AM before the services. 

The interment will be in the City of Orem Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, UT. 

Memorial donations may be made to: https://venmo.com/u/Jacob-Krizin