JOHN ADOLPH JERUSIS

1921 - 2013

John Adolph Jerusis of Schaumburg John Adolph Jerusis, formerly of Arlington Heights, Devoted, loyal and loving husband of Helen Kalinowski Kutt Jerusis for 46 years. He was preceded in death by his late wife, Patricia Collins, parents, siblings. Dear father to Michael (Jody) Collins and Therese (the late Karl-Heinz) Dullmaier, appreciated step- father to Lawrence (Linda Jones) Kutt, Daniel (Joanne Goldsmith) Kutt, Christine (Michael Zolt) Kutt, Susan (Eddie Wolter) Bradley, Barbara (Steve) Watters. Grandfather to 14 beautiful and successful children, across the country and globe and one great- grandchild. Born July 27, 1921 and passed away April 14, 2013. Raised in Waukegan, Illinois leaving to ride the rails to the West as a teenager, John arrived in California and joined the U.S. Marines. He achieved rank of Sergeant, serving in World War II out of the Pacific Special Weapons Battalion in the 4th Marine Division based in Oahu, Hawaii. John attended the University of Illinois on the G.I. Bill and played football for the Fighting Illini, a team he followed throughout his entire life. Upon graduation, John became a physical education teacher in the Chicago Public School District where he was an esteemed and winning football coach at Lakeview, Edgebrook and Weber High Schools. A devout Catholic, John married Helen, a widow with five children, in 1966. He selflessly provided for them and his own two children working as an educator as well as remodeling and construction projects. John retired from teaching in 1986 from Illinois District 63. Retirement only meant more time for John to run his handyman business, J.J. Custom Home Repair. John Jerusis was a world traveler, having visited more than 70 countries during his time in the service and with his wife, Helen. He was a fitness zealot his entire life and swam daily even into his late 80s. He loved to ride his bicycle, fish and play cards. John was a connoisseur of Chicago-style hot dogs. A skilled ballroom and square dancer, John amazed all who cleared the floor as he and Helen cut the rug at social events. But John's greatest hobby was any project involving a power tool, paint, or concrete. He was known for hauling hundreds of tons of rock up a 10 story hill at the cottage, a testament to his physical prowess. His remodeling projects are legendary. John survived a number of types of cancer, multiple surgeries, joint replacements and loss of a leg. John's current project was to master his prosthesis in preparation for his grandson's wedding in May. He never gave up. Memorial gathering Friday from 9:00 A.M. until Memorial Mass 10:00 A.M. at St. Hubert Church, 729 Grand Canyon St., Hoffman Estates. Arrangements by Friedrichs Funeral Home, Mount Prospect, 847-255-7800 or FriedrichsFH.com.