John Keys Obituary
May 19, 2000 – November 4, 2025
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of John Christopher Keys, age 25, of Elizabethtown, Indiana, who left us on November 4, 2025. Born on May 19, 2000, in Winfield, Illinois, John was raised in Wheaton, Illinois. He graduated from Wheaton Warrenville South High School in May 2018 and went on to get a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in May of 2022. After college, John worked as a Mechanical Engineering Technician for Cummins in Columbus, Indiana.
John had a deep love for the outdoors and could often be found hiking through the woods, riding 4-wheelers over muddy trails, or out on the water under an open sky. He also had a lifelong passion for working on anything with an engine – from taking apart a radio-controlled car to working on an old CJ7 Jeep with his dad and late grandpa Keys, or wrenching on a car with his buddies in someone's driveway.
He is deeply loved and will be forever missed by his parents, Brian and Teresa Keys, and his older sister and brother-in-law, Emily and Leonel Diaz. John is lovingly embraced in heaven by his paternal grandfather, John Keys and is dearly cherished here on earth by his remaining grandparents, Linda Keys and LaVerne and Patricia Schumacher.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois, with visitation beginning at 12:00 p.m. at the church. A luncheon will follow the service. Private burial of ashes will be held in Oakwood Cemetery in Metamora, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or the Northern Illinois Food Bank (see links below).
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
https://supporting.afsp.org/campaign/John-Keys--Memorial-Fund
Northern Illinois Food Bank
https://shorturl.at/wbejp
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Braden Wuesthoff
November 16, 2025
Miss you John
Susan Bosse-Millington
November 15, 2025
Our hearts are broken with this news. From our St. Paul days, John's smile is etched in our memories. Please feel our absolute love, support and sympathies. Deep prayer for you continues. Sue, Randy, Tyler & Jessica (Bosse)
Beth, Chris, and John Hallerud
November 14, 2025
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Beth, Chris, and John Hallerud
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Mia Burns
November 10, 2025
John,
I will always be so grateful to have known you and have you in my life. We all miss you down here. Thank you for always being you, and thank you for all of the memories you gave me.
Love always,
Mia
Henry
November 9, 2025
RIP John Keys, I´ll never forget throwing around the football in the snow in your backyard after our boy scout meeting. John is a great guy and I´ll never forget him
Steve L
November 9, 2025
We're all going to miss you dearly brother.
I didn't have many opportunities to run into you back at school, but working with you was always a pleasure, I was incredibly excited and beyond proud to see where you started and eventually step into your Level 5 role at the tech center. You were incredibly driven and dedicated to your craft and you truly excelled at it.
Even more than that it was always a bright moment when I ran into you in passing, and the times we were able to socialize outside of work were always a treat, and I will cherish those times deeply.
Rest easy John, you made an impact on all of us that will never be forgotten
Lisa Jackson
November 8, 2025
Oh Theresa, Brian,
My heart is just broken at this news. It was such a blessing to steward John, and the rest of our little youth group for all those years. There are no words - Stuey and Tyler convey there condelensces as well. -Lisa Jackson
Sandy Kretschmer
November 8, 2025
Many fond memories of the boys together in Cub Scouts and the growing up years as "Whittier" families. John showed great character even as a young boy. Deeply saddened by this news. Sincerely Sandy, Madeline and Henry Kretschmer
Julie Michalak
November 7, 2025
Theresa and Brian,
We are deeply saddened by the loss of John. We remember him in the early years at St Paul. And then seeing him years later out on the XC trails competing against our Alex. Gods blessings. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
The Michalaks.
Dallin Murray
November 7, 2025
John, we will miss you at the tech center. I always enjoyed working with you and i know others did as well. I know I will miss your smile and happiness in the work place. You were fun to be around. John did not like to be bored, we had a couple nights with little work in test cell 207 about a year ago, and boy did we hear about it. John was basically begging for anything to do at the cell. I am glad he made bis way to the level 5 position. He sure enjoyed helping out with multiple test cells. To John parents and family: John was a great guy, you did a great job raising him. I am sorry for your loss and ours in Columbus. Please know that many friends are praying for you amd him. To paraphrase some scriptures that summarize the John I knew: consider the happy and blessed state of those that keep God's commandments, and as soon as any man, woman, or child departs from this life, their spirit is taken back home to that God that gave them life. I know John's spirit lives on and you will be reunited with him one day.
Tyler B.
November 7, 2025
Hey John, I'll miss you man. You had great taste in bikes and cars, you had such a good outlook on everything and knew what mattered and what didn't. I'll miss joking around together and making work a better place. Nobody here will forget you.
Kate & Doug
November 7, 2025
Doug and I are shocked and saddened by this tragic news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you make sense of this. Remote control cars.Camp Freeland Leslie. Carpooling ( to the "northside") and his sweet impish smile. Forever in our hearts.
Jacob
November 7, 2025
I love you brother
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