John Stellwagen Obituary

Name: Memorial service for John Stellwagen
Start: 2015-03-17T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-03-17T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Hallowell & James Funeral Home - Countryside

John Nixon Stellwagen, 72, of LaGrange, IL died suddenly at his home on March 11, 2015. Son of the late William and Sylvia (nee Nixon) Stellwagen, he is survived by his wife of 41 years Gale (nee Jones) Stellwagen, daughters Leslie Stellwagen and Laura (Daniel) Zeman, and his adored and adoring granddaughter Matilda. Graduate of North Park Academy, Arizona State University, and Northwestern University. John began his career as a high school English teacher, but perfected it as a salesman, seer, and sage. Perhaps the best storyteller since Scheherazade, John spent his life making everyone he met smile. John loved classic cars, fine scotch, traveling the world, and ensuring that every dog he met had a cookie. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. Memorial services will be held Tuesday March 17 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th Street, Countryside, IL between 2pm and 6pm. Interment private. Please consider a donation to the ASPCA or your local animal shelter in his name and remember, "When in doubt, buy both." Funeral info 708-352-6500

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Published by Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on Mar. 15, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for John Stellwagen

9 Entries

Kathryn Neal Odell

June 7, 2018

John was a wise teacher and encouraging mentor to someone in high school who was in need of both. I was sharing stories about John with my husband last night, decided I would reach out, then discovered the sad news. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with John and meeting Gale after college. I also remember going on a boat with them on Lake Michigan (very choppy water) and John so kindly offered me ginger beer as I was turning "green." Continued blessings to John's family for this loss.

Robert Kopelson

June 29, 2016

John was a really good guy. I had him for combined studies which he allowed me to transfer into at ETHS back around 1968 or 69 or so.

Some schoolmates and I formed a team for a softball league in town, and needed an adult "coach," so we asked him to do it. He did.

I had no contact with him since graduating in '71, but just took a shot and googled when I was reminded of those days by some classmates I still keep in touch with.

My tardy condolences to his family.

March 25, 2015

I'm sorry to hear that John passed. He was one smart guy. (From one of his classmates at NPA, John Markuson.)

Kathy Doyle

March 19, 2015

I had the honor of learning from John when we worked together on the computer publications at Cahners. John was an exceedingly bright man and a terrific guy. I loved that he often packed his own coffee pot for travels.

Ed Vanecek

March 17, 2015

Gail: Am deeply sorry to hear of the death of John. Please accept my condolences on this sad occasion. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort

Eddie

March 16, 2015

I was very sorry to hear of Mr. Stellwagen's passing. He was by far my favorite teacher in high school. I had him for Shakespeare and he really made me appreciate Shakespeare. He was a great inspiration to me and a great teacher. I am pround to say to got the highest grade he ever gave on a paper about Hamlet, he gave me an "ILT" (I like this) as opposed to an A. I also went on to attend his alma mater Arizona State. RIP Mr. Stellwagen, from a student that wil always remember you and that you were more than an English teacher to me

Sally Bednarcik-Formas

March 16, 2015

I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Stellwagen's passing. He was my absolute favorite teacher in high school. I had a Shakespeare class with him and he really made me appreciate Shakespeare. He was a great inspiration to me and I am proud to say that I received his highest grade on a paper about Hamlet, he gave me an ILT (I like this) as opposed to an A. I also went on to attend his alma mater Arizons State. RIP Mr. Stellwagen, this is on student who will never forget you.

March 15, 2015

Gale:
Sorry to hear of John's passing. I was his secretary for years with Cahners Publishing in Hinsdale and Des Plaines. We all had a lot of laughs with the Cahners Group. Please accept my condolences. Marian Lawrence

Lesle Koepp

March 15, 2015

I'm very sorry to hear of John's passing. John & I were both part of the Cahners Publishing Company group for many years - first on Spinning Wheel Road in Hinsdale & then up in Des Plaines. I remember that when it was John's turn to make coffee (whoever took the last cup, had to make a new pot), John brewed the strongest imaginable! He set the path for Starbucks - before its time, that's for sure! It was a pleasure to know John. Blessings to his family.

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