John Charles Naegle

John Charles Naegle (79), of Spokane, Washington, passed away on August 15th, 2018 in Spokane, Washington.

John was born on July 10, 1939 in Spokane, Washington. He was adopted as an infant by Anthony and Jeanette Naegle and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. John always felt grateful to be placed with family who loved him unconditionally.

Since his early childhood, he had a fascination with flying and airplanes, motivating him to get his pilot's license at the young age of fourteen. He joined the Navy at the age of twenty-two, where he flew anything he could, but specifically the Grumman S-2 off of the USS Bennington before and during the Vietnam War.

Following an honorable discharge from the Military, he became an airline pilot with Northwest Airlines based out of Seattle. During this time, he met and married his wife, Diana Vanderstaay, and had two children, Dennese and Randall, and settled in Eatonville, Washington.

After Diana’s untimely death, John married Penny Peterson and moved to Olympia, Washington. Upon retiring from Northwest Airlines, they spent their winters in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and their summers in Spokane Valley, Washington.

John was a lifelong learner. He was intrigued by the more esoteric ideas and concepts of the scientific world, and was an avid reader. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, John’s testimony buoyed him and helped him lead his family in strength and love.   

He is lovingly remembered by wife, Penny Peterson-Naegle and brothers, Richard (VJ) Naegle, Ron Naegle, as well as children and step-children: Kimberly Olah, Scott (Jordan) Peterson, Jonathan (Stephanie) Peterson, Dennese (Jamee) Mahoney, Patricia (James) Fry, Wendy (Steven) Rosenlund, Randall (Cathleen) Naegle, Andrea (Michael) Selleck, Kristi (Derek) Kerr, and many beloved grandchildren.

Services will be held in Spokane Valley at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 14111 East 16th Ave, Veradale, WA 99037, on Wednesday, August 22nd, at 10:30am. Viewing will begin at 9:30, and interment will be at Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake at 3pm, with full military honors.