JOHN JAMES CHIAKULAS

John James Chiakulas, Ph.D., age 94. Died on April 17, 2010. John was born on August 3, 1915 in Chicago, the son of the late Demetrios (James) and the late Panagiota (Bertha), nee Trakas; loving and devoted husband of 54 years of the late Angeline (Ann). Survived by loving and caring son, Tom and daughter-in-law Connie; adoring and cherished Papou of Christopher (Jourdan) and Maria. Preceded in death by brothers, Charles (Christine), Dr. Gregory (George) (Penny); and nephew, Jim Chiakulas. Survived also by nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. They all loved Uncle John and will miss him at their Chiakulas get-togethers. John attended Chicago public schools throughout junior college. The death of his father and the Great Depression in 1933 forced him to work for survival. He worked as a grocery clerk, night watchman, factory assembly line worker, file clerk and even as a ditch digger. Resumed evening school college courses in 1937 and eventually received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1940 from Northwestern University. During World War II, he was a civilian instructor at the U.S. Air Force Cadet school at Yale University, then served in the Navy, 1945-1946. Upon discharge, resumed graduate studies and received a Master of Arts in Science Education Degree from Northwestern University in 1947. The University of Chicago awarded him a University Fellowship in 1947 for graduate work in the Department of Zoology. He received a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in 1951. Among his guests attending the convocation at Rockefeller Chapel was his two-month old son, Tom. John always wanted to be a teacher. His aspirations were fulfilled by being: special instructor in biology at Grinnell College (1946-1947); graduate teaching assistant in the department of Zoology at the University of Chicago (1947-1951); instructor in Biology at Roosevelt University (1951-1952); assistant professor of anatomy at the Chicago College of Optometry (1952-1953); instructor to full professor at the Chicago Medical School (1953-1983), where he also served as acting chairman of the Anatomy Department from 1978-1983. He then went to the Anatomy Department of the University of Illinois Medical School and assisted student laboratory work (1984-1986). He was a dedicated teacher. Students respected him because he was knowledgeable, demanding and concerned about the needs of students. In 1971, students voted him the Sang Award for Excellence in Teaching. John carried on an active research program and received National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation research grants. He published numerous research papers in various scientific journals. He was elected to Sigma Xi, the Honorary Scientific Research Society. John was active in affairs of the Greek-American Community. He was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon, a youth group of college students and graduates, sang in the Greek chorus of Chicago, co-authored a column "College Comments," the first all-English column to appear on a regular basis in a Chicago Greek newspaper. He served the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church for many years as a parish council member, secretary of the council and co-chairman of the Plato School Board. Visitation Monday, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. Family and friends will meet Tuesday morning at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 601 S. Central, Chicago IL 60644 for funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Internment Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial donations to Assumption Church would be appreciated. Arrangements by JOHN G. ADINAMIS FUNERAL DIRECTOR, LTD. 847-359-8020