John J. Mebius, 66, a retired captain of the Hermosa Beach Police Department, passed away suddenly Feb. 29 at his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He was 66.
Mebius was born in Leeuwarden, Holland. His family came to the U.S. in the early 1950s, settling in Southern California, where John and two brothers enjoyed their youth.
Mebius joined the Glendale Police Department, and moved to the Hermosa Beach Police Department in 1969, at age 24. He worked his way up the ranks, and served for a time as acting police chief. He retired as a well respected captain after 29 years of faithful service.
Mebius loved spending time with friends and family. In the early years, he enjoyed many camping trips filled with stories of dirt bike riding, boating and snowmobiling adventurers alongside his wife, Nikki. He enjoyed relaxing and socializing with friends and family around the campfire.
Later, he and Nikki traveled through Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Mebius became an avid golfer, and was a member of the London Bridge Golf Course in Lake Havasu City and the Sun Country Golf Course in Cle Elum, Washington. He was a member of The Havasu Jeep Club & Elks Yacht Club as well.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Nikki Mebius; daughters Debi (Carl) Williams of Dayton, Nevada, Christa (Vince) DeSantis of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Michelle Schroeder (Mebius) of Seattle; grandchildren CJ Williams of So. Lake Tahoe, Brandon Williams of Carson City, Nevada, Joseph (Maddie) DeSantis of Coeur d’Alene, Nicholas DeSantis of Coeur d’Alene, Cora Williams of Dayton and Ethan Schroeder of Seattle. He is further survived by brother Fred Mebius of So. Lake Tahoe, along with other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Henk Mebius.
A memorial celebration of his life will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 7 at the clubhouse in Lakeridge Estates, 2270 Canterbury Lane, Lake Havasu. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Desert Hills Fire Department in memory of John Mebius, Desert Hills Fire Department, 3983 London Bridge Rd., Lake Havasu, AZ 86404. ER
