Name: Visitation for John Anderson
Start: 2017-12-07T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-12-08T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Morizzo Funeral Home & Cremation Services

John Anderson

Elgin - John Albert "Bo" Anderson, 66, of Elgin, Illinois; beloved husband, father, brother, and friend passed away December 3, 2017 in Elgin, IL. He was born January 22, 1951 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is survived by his sister, Melanie A. Meche of Lafayette, his wife of 10 years, Lora Lee Anderson of Elgin, IL, his son Warren Baer Anderson and his wife Brandie of Lafayette, his son John Wyatt Anderson of Lafayette, his daughter Aubrey Anderson Ratchford and her husband Chris of Charlotte, NC, his stepdaughter Shanah Lee Kukielka and her husband Rich of Cary, IL, and 7 grandchildren: Landen Baer Anderson, Hudsen Charles Anderson, John Victor Ratchford, Garrett Anderson Ratchford, Aubrey Michelle Anderson, Marcus Lee Ruehmann, and Patricia I. Engelhardt. Bo is also survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Margaret "Bootsie" Durand and his former wife Karen L. Anderson. Preceding him in death was his father Lewis Baer Anderson, his mother Angie Smith Anderson, and his brother-in-law, Nathan O. Meche. After moving to Lafayette at the age of 5, Bo spent his formidable years living on Marilyn Drive and attending L.J. Alleman School where he formed many life-long friendships that he always cherished and often spoke about. Bo went on to play sports at Lafayette High School, where he graduated in 1969. He attended University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL) and graduated in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in Marketing. During his years as a student at the current University of Louisiana, Bo was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and served as the chapter's President for 1-2 years. After graduating from college, Bo began his 28 year career in the family business, Anderson Wholesale Furniture. Near and dear to Bo's heart were the employees of Anderson's and their families. He was particularly proud that employees such as Loney Hebert, Sr., Harold Moroux, Carol Guilbeaux, Carol LeBlanc, Ray DeLoach, Lori Menard Duhon, Jerome Domengeaux, Mark Speyrer, Stanley Mouton, Milton "Melo" Sam, Peter "Forrest" Julien, Joseph "June" Senegal, and Joseph "Rock" Jolivette were each dedicated to Anderson Wholesale Furniture for in excess of 20 years, and some as long as 38 years. As part of his last wishes, Bo (and the entire Anderson family) want to thank all of the valued employees who contributed to the success of Anderson Wholesale Furniture for its 45 years of existence. The biggest heartbreak in Bo's life was when he was forced to close the doors of the family business in May of 2001. A year later in 2002, Bo moved to Las Vegas where he met his future wife, Lora, and subsequently moved with her to the Chicago suburbs in 2005. Bo and Lora were married September 15, 2007 and have lived in Elgin, IL, since that time. Bo continued his career in the furniture business until his retirement in 2014. For many years, Bo was actively involved in the Krewe of Gabriel, Krewe of Brigands, and Krewe of Bonaparte, for which he served as King Napoleon in 1988. When Bo came back to visit Lafayette in recent years, he made it a point to eat at his favorite restaurants like Café Vermilionville, LaFonda, Don's Downtown, Don's Seafood Hut, and he would never leave town without having at least one cheeseburger (with grilled onions of course) from Judice Inn. Bo spent countless weekends at the camp in Cypremort Point that he adoringly and appropriately named "Grand Central" and fishing in the surrounding waters for speckled trout in his boat, "Miss Behavior." If there ever was a social butterfly, Bo was it. He truly enjoyed being the life of the party. He could always be found in the middle of a group of people telling jokes to anyone who would listen or making people laugh with his quick wittedness and one-liners. Memorial and cremation services are being handled by Morizzo Funeral Home in Hoffman Estates, IL. Visitation will be held December 7th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The contact information for the funeral home is 847-752-6444 and www.morizzofuneralhome.com. A celebration of Bo's life will be held at Café Vermilionville in Lafayette on Saturday, December 9th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The attire should be dinner casual and please come prepared to share your fondest (and funniest) memories of Bo. Considering the fact that Bo was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, in lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation (www.rizzo44.com). The Cubs first baseman's charity raises money for cancer research and to provide support to children and their families fighting the disease. Family and Friends will meet Thursday, December 7th from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. for a visitation at Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner of Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, IL. 60169. The family has created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories, photos and videos. For further information please contact the Morizzo Funeral Directors at 847.752.6444. Arrangements entrusted to Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, at 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner at Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169.

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Published by The Advertiser on Dec. 7, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for John Anderson

Sponsored by Morizzo Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

5 Entries

March 25, 2019

Bo and I played on the Superior Oilers baseball
team the summer after our third grade with Mrs. Richardson. We set next to each other the day they told us of the shooting of President Kennedy is one memory. We were in classes together through the eight grade as L.J. Alleman school. Bo was a good guy, friend to many, and quite an athlete.

Laura Vannoy Palmintier

December 7, 2017

Bo was my first love, 3rd grade, I use to write love letters to him until he gave them to our teacher, Mrs. Richardson. She was so sweet told me after class one day that probably not a good idea to give him those letters and that one day he would wish he had kept them. We were great friends and in High School he told me he wished he had kept those letters. I laughed. His birthday was the day before mine and for many years he or I would call to wish each other happy birthday. Mike and I made our first big purchase at his furniture store our breakfast table for our new house. I loved Bo Anderson, he was always a great friend. Like Denny said years could go by and you would see him or talk to him on the phone and it was like not a day had gone by since you last saw or talked to each other. He was an amazing guy and I will surely miss him! Laura

Stephen Broussard

December 7, 2017

AEKDB Bo-Rest in peace.

Denny Wright

December 7, 2017

Bo , was a Life long friend from the time i met him in High School as Freshmen. Bo and his family always made their house make me feel like i was part of their Family. Through our HS years the times we spent together , I lived with them for months when (my parents moved to Illinois ) we covered alot great memories with Athletics and around the neighbor playing ball , chasing Girls and times shooting the new pelt gun and happen to hit my windows on my car. So may of those times we both covered for each other with our Fathers! Theres so many, my Heart warms of our times together, as years passed and both of us moved into different paths if I saw Bo at the Keg (Playing Foosball only ) on campus or as years went on and i would pass thru Lafayette ( Bo was in My wedding ) he always made me feel we never lost that childhood friendship bond! even the last couple years that we were able to visit on the phone Bo always made you feel like you were special to him and always had a Story.
Bo thanks for being a Friend like a Brother, God Bless you forever in Peace, Love you. DW

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