Jonathan James Van Etten passed away peacefully on Nov. 18th, 2012 in his home. He was 54 years old. He was born in West Covina, Calif. on Feb. 20th, 1958. He grew up between California and Oregon, graduating from Vale Union High School in 1976. He did a stint in the Navy and after receiving an Honorable Discharge, began his travels, making his way across the U.S. and back. In his mid-twenties, he landed in Nevada as a bartender and then took on a succession of ventures that gave him the ability to continue his travels. He was a history aficionado and was able to realize one of his dreams; to tour the Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Returning to Nevada, he became employed as a security agent and as an investigator. He was passionate about the details and duties he performed, and the people he met as a result. Jonathan, unmarried and without children of his own, met many people; most became his close friends and part of his family.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Velma "Valerie" Sousa (Sobolewski); birth father, Theodore Van Etten; siblings, David, Marge, Kathy, and one he held most dear, Amber, whom he lovingly and affectionately referred to as "Boo".
He is survived by father, Victor Sousa of Lebanon, Oregon; sister, Sheryl of Miss.; sister, Vicky Johnson (Damazio) of Valley Center, Calif.; brother, Timothy Souza of Lebanon, Oregon; and sister, Victoria Radford of Nev. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew him: Doris, Dennis, Lance, Megan, Phil, and Ty and his many friends from his Vale Union High School days (1972 - 1976). The family sincerely regrets not knowing or being able to acknowledge all the many people that touched Jonathan's life and whose lives that he touched.
A graveside service will be held on Dec. 6th, 2012 at 12 p.m. at the Veteran's Cemetery, 14 Veteran's Way in Fernley, Nevada. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Honor Guard, Nevada, through Fitzhenry's Funeral Home, Carson City, Nev.