John J. Justen

1932 - 2014

John J. Justen

Born: July 9, 1932; in McHenry, IL

Died: Nov. 21, 2014; in McHenry, IL

John J. "Jack" Justen, age 82, of McHenry, died Friday, November 21, 2014, at Centegra Hospital - McHenry.

He was born July 9, 1932, in McHenry to John R. and Evelyn (Freund) Justen. On September 7, 1958, he married Beverly D. Blish at St. Mary's Church in McHenry.

A lifelong resident of McHenry, John was a 1949 graduate of McHenry High School. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Illinois-Champaign while also participating in the ROTC program there. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Accounting and entered the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant, where he served stateside.

John worked in the field of corporate accounting for over 30 years. He was first employed by Burgess Vibrocrafters Inc. in Grayslake for 15 years, then at the McHenry Electric Company for over 15 years before retiring.

An active member of St. Mary's Church in McHenry, John also served as an usher and regularly volunteered for church activities such as the picnic and annual rummage sale. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus McHenry Council 1288 in McHenry. He was a lifetime member and Fourth Degree Knight of Bishop Boylan Assembly #198. John was also a member of the McHenry Moose Lodge and called bingo games at the V.F.W. Post 4600 in McHenry.

Favorite activities included fishing, golf, volleyball, gardening, and dancing, especially the polka. An avid sports fan, he played several sports in high school. His love of sports continued throughout his lifetime as he lent his skills to neighborhood children who needed someone to give them a little coaching assistance or just needed someone to play catch with. Above all, he was a loving devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose family was always his top priority in life.

John is survived by four children, Jeffrey Justen of Peoria, Jody Justen of McHenry, Stacey (Jon) Haapala of Gurnee, and Kristy (William) Hecke of Kenosha; and four grandchildren, Nathaniel Justen, Brandon Hecke, Jacob Haapala, and Lindsey Haapala.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly, on October 25, 2008; two brothers, Eugene and Gerald Justen; and his sister, Gladys Ekholm.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at Justen Funeral Home & Crematory, 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road, McHenry, IL 60050. Visitation will resume from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, at St. Mary's Church, 1401 N. Richmond Road, McHenry, IL 60050. The funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, at church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, McHenry.

For those wishing to send an expression of condolence, his family suggests memorials to either the American Heart Association or to the American Cancer Society in his honor.

For information, please call the funeral home at 815-385-2400, or visit www.justenfh.com, where friends may leave an on-line condolence message for his family.