John Mark Hafen

John Mark Hafen, age 92, died peacefully on September 8,2024, in Orem, Utah. He was born April 16, 1932, in Provo, Utah, to Joseph and Mary Harris Hafen, the fourth of eleven children (Joseph Jr., Norma, Louise, Irene, Raymond Harris, Carol, Stephen Gordon, Esther, Margaret Ann and Mary. He was the grandson of John Hafen, the artist.

John attended Provo City Schools – Franklin Elementary, Dixon Jr. High, Provo High, and Provo High School Seminary. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1954 with a B.S. degree in Agronomy and received a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in April 1955. He spent four and one-half years in pilot training and flying F-89D and F102 all weather fighter interceptors in the Air Defense Command. Upon separation from active duty in September 1959, John joined the Utah Air National Guard flying F-86L fighter interceptors as a traditional guardsman. Returning to BYU in 1960, he earned a degree in English and then taught English at Springville High School where he was Department Chairman, initiated the English Advanced Placement Program, was head wrestling coach, and helped coach football. In 1969 John entered fulltime service with the Utah Air National Guard as a pilot training instructor. During this time, he earned an MBA from Auburn University, graduated from Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College (correspondence). He retired in 1992 as a Major General after 37 years of military service.

He married Carma Jane Bradley, daughter of Ethlyn Larsen and Bigelow Bradley on 24 September 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are parents of five children: John Mark Jr., (Amy); Diana (Forrest Dix) Kelsey; Bryant Cameron (Connie), and twin daughters Lynette and Laurie.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John served in various positions – several times as stake high councilman, bishop, stake missionary, ward Young Men President, Elders Quorum President, Primary Teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, temple ordinance worker, and as a sealer in the temple for many years. John and his wife Carma Jane served as humanitarian missionaries for Latter-day Saint Charities from July 1998 to July 2000 in Frankfurt, Germany for the East Europe Area.

John served as a Springville City Councilman and he also served on the Springville City Planning Commission, Water Board, and on the Airport Board. After retirement, he completed the construction of his RV-6A, a home-built airplane he named “Tin Lizzie,” and enjoyed hundreds of hours “slipping the surly bonds of earth.”

John was generous in sharing his time, talents, and resources. He was known for his quick wit and gift of storytelling. His example of integrity, hard work, honoring his commitments and unwavering faith was appreciated by all who knew him. He is especially loved and honored by his family and extended family members for his example and for showing love and kindness to them through all the years of his life. 

John was preceded in death by twin daughters Lynette and Laurie, his parents, three brothers: Joseph Hafen Jr. (Ethel),Raymond Harris Hafen, and Stephen Gordon Hafen (Cindy), and by six sisters: Norma (Weston) Henrie, Louise (Jerry)Tremaine, Irene (Edwin) Gibbs, Carol (Cecil) Jones, Esther (Jerry) Blackburn and Mary (Eric) Tuttle. He is survived by one sister: Margaret Ann (Ralph) Rupp. He is also survived by his children, sixteen grandchildren, and thirty-seven great grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the 7th Ward Chapel, 1925 East Canyon Road, Springville, Utah. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, September 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, in Springville, and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The family expresses heartfelt appreciation to caregivers, as well as many friends and neighbors, for their kindness and loving care.

Interment will be in the Springville, Utah, Evergreen Cemetery.

Condolences for the family can be left on this page.