John A. Fitzstevens, Jr.

John A. Fitzstevens, Jr.

April 27, 1926 - February 11, 2018

U.S. Veteran  

John A. Fitzstevens, Jr.

April 27, 1926 - February 11, 2018


U.S. Veteran  

John A. Fitzstevens, Jr., 91 of Deland, Florida passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Alliance Skilled Nursing Facility, Deland.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, Febraury 17th beginning at 8:30 am till 9:30 am at Lohman Funeral Home DeLand followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:00 at Alliance Community Church Deland. A secondary gathering will be held back at Lohman Funeral Home Deland beginning at 12:00 pm till 1:30 pm followed by a graveside service with military honors at Deland Memorial Gardens at 2:00 pm.John was born on April 27, 1926 in Miami, FL to John and Lilian Fitzstevens. He and his two younger siblings, Paul and Ruth grew up in Miami. John joined the Army Aircorps and served in Europe towards the end of WWII. He attended Nyack Missionary Training Institute where he met Esther. He did summer studies at Asbury and graduated from Geneva College. He later earned an MA from Stetson University here in DeLand.While at Nyack, John prepared for missionary service in China. John and Esther were married June 5, 1950 soon after Esther’s graduation from Nyack. While on their pre-field assignment in Jasper, Alabama David was born. The door to China closed and they were assigned to Vietnam by the C&MA. Their first year of language study was French in Geneva, Switzerland in preparation for French-Indochina. They arrived in Vietnam in 1953 and started Vietnamese language study. They served in various capacities including evangelism and youth ministry with local pastors and twice at Dalat School. They served in Danang, Phan Thiet, My Tho, Ben Tre, Saigon and Dalat. Donna was born in Saigon, Mark on furlough in Miami and Mel in Dalat. The last three years in Vietnam John was director of CCF on special assignment. In 1969 they started a season of ministry serving in Alliance churches: First Alliance in Gainesville, FL, Fairview Alliance in Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec and First Alliance in Calgary, AB. Their heart for the Vietnamese was expressed as they reached out to Vietnamese wherever they went. They started Vietnamese churches in Montreal and in Calgary. After 1975 they worked in various kinds of relief and compassion ministries with Vietnamese in Montreal, Hong Kong and Philippines. John and Esther served in various roles at the local and global level with World Relief in Hong Kong and Asia, CAMA Services in Vietnam, FHI International in Geneva Switzerland and Samaritan’s Purse in Croatia.For the past 25 years they have been working with Samaritan’s Purse praying with and ministering to donors over the phone. John and Esther moved to the Alliance Community in DeLand two months ago. In his last days, John had opportunity to be with each of his children and bless each of his grandchildren either in person or via skype. John was promoted to glory on February 11, 2018. John is survived by his wife Esther; four children - David (Karen), Donna, Mark (Chris) and Mel (Linda); seven grandchildren - Ryan (Naomi), Michelle, Kyle (Marley), Jean-Claude (Lauren), Maia, Liam and Marlee; two great-grandchildren - Laila and Esther; and his sister Ruth (Don Olson).

Arrangements are under the care of Lohman Funeral Home Deland.  Condolences for the family may be shared at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com.

Schedule of Services

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Lohman Funeral Home Deland

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  • 935 E. New York Ave.
    Deland, Florida 32724

Celebration of Life

Alliance Community Chapel

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  • 600 South Florida Avenue
    Deland, Florida 32720

Celebration of Life

John's Guestbook


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