John Louis Eilertsen

John Louis Eilertsen, 87, passed away on February, 7, 2025, in Reading, Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years Jane Wheeland Leader.

He was the son of the late Louis M. and Claire Teigen Eilertsen of Huntington Woods Michigan.

John graduated from the University of Detroit in 1959. He was a member of the varsity fencing team, and won a state foil fencing championship. He was a member of the U.S. Air Force and was activated from the Reserves for the time during the Cuban Missile Crisis. John received an Honorable Discharge.

He was employed by Ford Motor Company for more than 20 years, in automotive product development, and later chief product planner.

John held several U.S. patents related to high-speed solenoid actuators and other electrical-mechanical devices. In 1984 John founded CTI Communications, a high-speed secure software program used by most automotive manufacturers.

John's last, and what he considered his highest achievement, was becoming a commissioned Stephen Minister caregiver within Saint John's Reformed Church in Reading, PA. And his several years of service as a Hospice Volunteer.

John and his wife, Jane enjoyed friends, family, concerts along with traveling. John was especially fond of classical music.

Surviving John, in addition to his dear wife Jane Leader, are his brother, Capt. James T. Eilertsen USN Ret., Virginia Beach, VA. John's children Ann McGregor, Bloomfield Hills, MI and John Kirk Eilertsen, Royal Oak, MI; Stepdaughters Linda Davis, Sinking Spring, PA; Kelly Davis Corbett, Normandy, France, and Jill Davis, New York, NY. Step grandchildren, Mackie Corbett, Holland Corbett, Sumner Corbett and Campbell Conard. Son in laws Tony Corbett, and Edward Conard. Nephews: Christopher Eilertsen, Paradox, CO; Eric Eilertsen, wife Kathy, Memphis, TN; and children Jonathan, Dallas, TX and Charles, U.S Navy – Yokosuka, Japan; Nieces Barbara Eilertsen and William "Rusty" Bergen, Annapolis, MD; Karen Eilertsen Buckner, Birmingham, AL; and Edee Eilertsen Beckham, Cordova, TN; Son-in-law Stanley M. Schwartz and his wife Hele, and children Christopher and Alexander, Spokane, WA; John's brother-in-law, Noel Lippman, his wife Gloria, Almont, MI, and their three children, Ashley, Katherine and Emma, Almont, MI.

He was predeceased by his previous wife Hattie Lippman Eilertsen of Coeur d'Alene, ID.

A Celebration of Life visitation will be Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 10:00 am-11:00 a.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611. Inurnment will be private. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Stephen Ministries, 2045 Innerbelt Business Center Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63114. Phone (314) 428-2600. Web Site: www.StephenMinistries.org.