John Polka Obituary
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He was born July 23, 1942, in Chicago, the son of George and Susan (Dillon) Polka.
John graduated from Brother Rice, went on to St. Mary's University in Winona Minnesota, and later completed his master's degree at Chicago State University. He joined the faculty at Fenwick High School in 1965, where he eventually rose to chair the science department. He was later inducted into the CCL Coaches Hall of Fame and the Illinois Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame based on his many years of cross country coaching success at Fenwick. Following retirement, John volunteered at the Shedd Aquarium, where he continued to inspire others with the joy and passion he felt for the wonders of science and the natural world.
He is survived by his nieces, Nancy Polka-Schneiter, and nephew, Richard (Sylwia) Polka, and many extended family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Sat. Feb. 10, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Rd. in Huntley. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove.
Visitation will be on Friday, Feb. 9 from 5 to 8 pm at the James A. O'Connor Funeral Home, 11603 E. Main St. in Huntley and will continue Sat. at the church from 9 to 9:45 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in John's name may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Jim Prunty
February 9, 2024
John was a man of great integrity. He was devoted to his students, athletes and colleagues. He worked tirelessly to make athletes and coaches' experiences in cross country and track/field rewarding and memorable. I served with him on a few committees and I had the utmost regard for him. He was among the legendary coach in The Chicago Catholic League.
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Gregg Kuenster
February 2, 2024
Truely a genuine person. He took a couple of busloads of 14 years old boys to Southern Indiana to visit caves and discover geological plates and geodes. What a truly calm and decent person. The world is a lesser place without him. He taught you can present love without verbalization. I honor his decency.
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11603 E. Main P.O. Box 74, Huntley, IL 60142
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