John was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on January 2, 1931, to William & Amelia (Sather) Elden. Amelia (aka Mimi) would always say that he was stubborn and waited till after New Year's to be born, so as not to be a New Year's baby.  John was the youngest of four children, with his sister Doris the oldest, then his brother William (aka Bud), and his sister Shirley.  John graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1948 and was a Liberal Arts Graduate from the University of Minnesota in 1950.

John was drafted into the U.S. Army in May 1951, taking Basic Training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.  John served in combat in Korea with the First Cavalry Division, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, H Company (Heavy Weapons Company) as a Radio Operator.  John was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge for his time in combat, along with three (3) Battle Stars on his United Nations Service Ribbon.  In July 2024, John was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice, Centurian Level (2nd highest award) by the National Infantry Association.  The Order of Saint Maurice was established to recognize those Infantrymen who have made significant contributions to the Infantry.  A year later, in July 2025, John was awarded the Order of Saint George by the United States Armor Association.  The Order of Saint George was established to recognize those who have made a significant contribution to the Armor/Calvary.

John's entire occupational career was devoted to the Life Insurance Industry, beginning in Sales and culminating as a Vice President of Sales and Marketing over some 50 years.  John received his Chartered Life Underwriters designation in 1970, along with being recognized and written up in the 1979-1980 Who's Who in Finance and Industry, as well as in the 1982-1983 edition of Who's Who in the Midwest.

John belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Korean War Veterans' Association, the First Cavalry Division Association, and the 7th Cavalry Regiment Association.  John was also in the Chartered Life Underwriters Association and the National Association of Life Underwriters.  In addition, John belonged to the Quad Cities Sales Executives Club and the Optimist Club, along with being commissioned by the Governor of the State of Kentucky as a Kentucky Colonel.

When John and his family relocated to the Quad Cities in 1976, he and his family were members of the First Lutheran Church in Geneseo, Illinois, having also been members of their Church Council and singing in their Church Choir for some 25 years along with his dear wife Joan.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Greg (Cricket) Elden of Huntsville, AL, Julie Elden of Escondido, CA, Diana Baca of Peoria, IL; grandchildren, Nicholas (Shelby) Moss, Charles Elden, Keith Elden, Tricia (Connor) Hall, Storm Baca, and great-granddaughter Madison Moss.

He is preceded in death by his dear wife, Joan (January 7, 2026); his parents, William and Amelia; his brother, William (Bud) Elden; his sisters, Doris Thompson and Shirley Langella; his sister-in-law, Beverly Elden; his brothers-in-law, Dougal Thompson and Gaspar Langella; and his grandsons, Jonathon Baca and Richard Moss.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 am on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Church of the Highlands Huntsville, 3301 Whitesburg DR SW.  Huntsville, Alabama 35802.  A memorial service will immediately follow at 11:30 am with Hunter Lambert officiating.

In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mr. Elden's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.