Dr. John I. Gmitro

Dr. John I. Gmitro formerly of Arlington Heights Dr. John I. Gmitro, 71, of Mount Carroll, Ill., died Saturday, May 24, 2008, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison, Wis. Cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. The Rev. John McFayden will officiate. John was born on May 16, 1937, the son of John and Margaret (nee Lehet) Gmitro. John served his country in the Minnesota Air National Guard. On June 29, 1963, John married Nancy Voss in Rochester, N.Y. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota and later attended the University of California Berkeley, where he received his master's degree. John furthered his education by returning to the University of Minnesota and receiving his Ph.D. in chemical engineering in 1969. John was employed by Kraft Foods Incorporated for 30 years, retiring in 1999. During his career at Kraft, he served as the director of systems evaluation. John enjoyed reading, designing electric train systems and lecturing on maritime history. John was involved in several Mount Carroll organizations including, Friends of Waukarusa, the Mount Carroll Community Development Corporation and the People for Progress. He was also a past president of "The Friends of the Library." John was a past president of School Board District #214 and the Stone Gate Neighborhood Association in Arlington Heights. John was also active in numerous church committees and served as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights. John will be dearly missed his wife, Nancy of Mount Carroll; three sons, John Gmitro of Elburn, Ill., Todd (Sara) Gmitro of Naperville, Ill. and Mark (Traci) Gmitro of Greenville, S.C.; two grandchildren, Megan and Kaitlyn; and one sister, Carol (Duane) Hall of Siler City, N.C. John was preceded in death by his parents. Online condolences and tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com. A memorial fund has been established in John's memory. Arrangements were made by Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mount Carroll, 815-273-2264.