John Francis McCloskey

John Francis McCloskey, 72, passed away Thursday, March 31, 2022 at his home in Bountiful, Utah with his wife, Michelle, by his side.

He has been a resident there for more than 30 years.

He was born on June 26, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the son of Terence Thomas McCloskey and Anne Elizabeth Shea.

Mr. McCloskey moved to Eureka, California with his parents, where he attended school. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at USAG Wiesbaden Base in Germany.

While in Germany, he met Monika Inga Blum. They married in Arcadia, California on August 26, 1969. After an honorable discharge from the Army, John moved his family to Moundsville, West Virginia, where he worked in a coal mine. They later moved to Green River, Wyoming and worked at the Texas Gulf - Trona mine. He also worked for Union Pacific Railroad for a few years.

He attended Western Wyoming Community College studying to be an electrician.

He and his wife Monika, then moved to Clearfield, Utah, where they eventually divorced.

John met Michelle Weidauer while working at Radio Shack. They were married on July 12, 1997 in Bountiful, Utah and were very happy together.

John loved camping and fishing in the Bridger Teton National Forest with his family.

He enjoyed making breakfast and dinner. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and nieces.

He participated in church events with the Emaculate Conception Catholic Church of Green River, Wyoming. He also enjoyed tinkering with his cars, train sets, etc.

--A special message from his wonderful and beloved sister, Helene (Petie) Chase:

My brother John Francis McCloskey was an inspiration to us all - a wonderful brother, a great dad and a super grand-dad. John did not have a judgmental bone in his body. He knew that people belonged to God, that they are lent to us. I will miss him very much.

Survivors include his wife, Michelle McCloskey of West Bountiful, Utah, one step daughter, Danielle Rae Weidauer of Colorado Springs, Colorado and one step son, Michael Wesley Weidauer of West Bountiful, Utah, one sister, Helene Chase of Mahwah, New Jersey and one brother, Terence Thomas McCloskey Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colorado, one sister in-law, Carol McCloskey of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, two daughters, Sherry Toothman of Redding, California and Patricia (Trish) Michele Gregory (Shawn Pearce Gregory) of Green River, Wyoming; three sons: Dirk McCloskey and wife Teptearika of Lakewood, California, John Francis McCloskey Jr. of Houston, Texas and Thomas Stewart McCloskey of Sebewaing, Michigan; five grand-daughters, Sherry Ivana, Bridgett, Corie Jean (CJ) and Alice Khem of California and Collette Julia of Texas and two grandsons, Trent Pearce Gregory and Jaimyn Pearce Gregory of Green River, Wyoming, several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Anne Elizabeth Shea Gallagher, his father Terence Thomas McCloskey, step father Ivan Gallagher, sister Patricia Anne Kueny (Walter Kueny Sr.) his brother Michael Joseph McCloskey and two nephews, Walter Kueny Jr. and Michael Kueny.

John's body has been donated to science for further studies of the diseases with which he suffered.

A tree planting ceremony will be held in his honor at his home on Saturday, April 9th, at 1 p.m. for close friends and family.