John I. Ykema

John I. Ykema

Born February 16, 1928 in Ogilvie, MN

Died January 11, 2025 in Media, PA

John Ykema was a professional engineer from 1978 to 2025.  He held degrees from Illinois Institute of Technology (M.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1955); University of Michigan (B.S. in Engineering, 1951); and Calvin College (B.S., 1949).  He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary (2019).

John Ykema began his career with the U.S. Navy in 1951, designing electrical systems for Navy ships.  In 1955 he joined ITE Circuit Breaker Co. in Philadelphia.  He continued with the same company (through many name changes; it is now part of L3 Harris) for the next 63 years, retiring on January 1, 2019, shortly before turning 91.  Over the course of his career, he was awarded multiple patents for inventions that advanced the art of electrical circuit protection.

John Ykema served for many years as a lay Elder and youth and adult Sunday School teacher in several churches throughout his life.  He served on the Board of Trustees of Westminster Theological Seminary for 36 years, serving as Board Chairman for 17 years.  He served on the Board of Trustees of the Delaware County Christian School for 20 years, and was Chairman of the Board for many of those years.  John also mentored a number of men in the Christian faith.

John Ykema was married to his dear wife Marilyn for almost 54 years; she predeceased him in March 2005.  The were blessed with four committed Christian children:  Linda (and Rob) Dolan of West Chester, PA; Jan Mulberger (and Tom, d. 2010) of Honey Brook, PA; Sandy Ykema, of Parkesburg, PA; and Steve Ykema, of Canadensis, PA.  He had three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

John Ykema loved the Lord God, and loved God’s Holy Word – the Bible.  His testimony to the end was that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for his sin on Calvary and was resurrected to life, and that through believing in Him, he would have eternal life; he is now in the eternal presence of His Lord.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 17th at Granite Farms Estate, 1343 W Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063. A Viewing will be held from 6:00-9:00 PM on Friday, January 17th at Logan-Videon Funeral Home, 2001 Sproul Rd., Broomall, PA 19008. Additionally, family and friends are welcome to join the family Saturday, January 18th for a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM at Proclamation Presbyterian Church, 278 S Bryn Mawr Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to: ACTS Legacy Foundation Fund, GFE Samaritan Fund (https://www.actsretirement.org/acts-benevolence/acts-legacy-foundation-ways-to-give/support-acts-legacy-foundation/ ); or to Springton Lake Presbyterian Church (https://slpca.org/).