John Edward Chatfield

It is with both sorrow and deep gratitude for a life well lived that we share that John Edward Chatfield, 68, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away suddenly on September 29, 2025 at his beloved Rushes Resort in Baileys Harbor, WI.

He was born January 2, 1957 in Dayton, OH, the son of Kenneth and Edith Chatfield and the youngest of five children. John graduated in 1980 from Purdue University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. His father, once a Methodist minister, instilled a love of God and Christ in John, a strong Christian foundation.

John married his first wife Jane shortly after college. They had two sons, Benjamin and Christopher. John was very proud of his sons. John had two granddaughters who he recently visited in China and loved having the opportunity to play with them.

John spent almost three decades working for Cabot Corporation, helping to design and build chemical plants in Tuscola, IL, Midland, MI, Wales and China, requiring much travel. John continued his love for travel, enjoying new places and experiences.

In early 2011, John rekindled a relationship with an old high school flame, Kimberly Allen. They married on November 11, 2011, and John moved to Chicago, where they have lived since then.

Since retiring, John and Kim traveled extensively, annually spending four weeks in Door County, their "Happy Place."

John was an avid bike rider, completing Century rides on several occasions, and regularly riding 30-60 miles all over the Chicago suburbs and while on vacations. He and Kim also found square dancing shortly after the Covidpandemic, and became very involved with the Arlington Squares club. Most recently, John was Treasurer for the club. John also loved hugs, pushing to meet his Victories men's group in person rather than on Zoom, mostly for the hugs, and he loved anything purple. John felt deeply, cried easily at touching television shows and movies, and was known for being an all-around nice guy, wanting to be helpful to those around him.

John was preceded in death by his parents, as well as Jane Chatfield, the mother of his sons. He is survived by his wife Kim, his two sons and granddaughters Andrea and Hannah, his sisters Carolyn Hart, Marilyn (Mike) Estep, and Evelyn (Bruce) Harcourt, and his brother Ken (Sharise) Chatfield, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, at Salerno's Galewood Chapel, located at 1857 N Harlem Ave., Chicago, IL. A service in celebration of John's life will begin at 7:30 pm.

Family, friends, and all whose lives John touched are invited to attend, share memories, and honor the remarkable life he lived. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.