John Straub

John L. Straub, a lifelong resident of Chadwick, Illinois, passed away peacefully on June 10th, 2024, at the age of 86. A Celebration of John's Life will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Mt. Carroll.
John was born January 22, 1939, son of Melvin and Dorothy (Ferris) Straub. John began working in the family business "Straub Builders" at a young age, showcasing his carpentry skills and building his first structure, a chicken coop, at the impressive age of 13. John's early life was marked by a blend of hard work and youthful enthusiasm. He would often check his traps before school, demonstrating his lifelong passion for hunting and trapping, even if it occasionally made him tardy. A 1956 graduate of Chadwick High School, John excelled in sports, playing basketball and baseball, and later enjoyed playing softball as an adult.
After high school, John served in the United States Army, where his typing skills earned him the position of Company Clerk. He returned to Chadwick in 1958 to rejoin his Dad at Straub Builders, where he built homes and pole barns throughout Carroll County, leaving a lasting mark on the community.
John married the love of his life, Avrilla Rose, on April 17, 1956. Their union was a testament to true love, blossoming from a chance meeting while John worked on Avrilla's family farm. Over the course of their lives together John and Avrilla embarked on numerous road trips, traveling to 48 states and cherishing their time exploring the country. Together they raised three children. John was a great Dad and was always present with sage advice and help. He would frequently be seen standing between the baseball and softball fields watching his sons and daughter play.
In addition to his work as a carpenter, John was a dedicated community servant. He was a trustee for the Chadwick Fire Department for over 20 years, playing a crucial role in the construction of the new fire station and building the second fire safety house in the country. His contributions to the community extended beyond construction; in retirement, he assisted local farmers and handled sewer and water services for Chadwick.
John's insatiable curiosity and intellectual pursuits led him to become an avid reader and an amateur theologian. He was always searching for answers to life's big questions, engaging with the Bible and theology, and talking with anyone who would listen. John's practical wisdom and numerical acumen were well-known. If it involved numbers, John could figure it out. He carried this intellectual rigor into all aspects of his life, balancing it with the hands-on skills that defined his carpentry career.
John leaves behind a community that will remember his hard work, dedication, and the legacy of buildings he constructed, which stand as a testament to his craftsmanship. His life was a blend of tradition, service, and a quest for knowledge, inspiring all who knew him. The entire Straub family would like to thank John's grandson Nathan for caring for and looking after grandpa this past year.
John will be dearly missed by his three children, Michael (Becky) Straub, of Rock Falls, IL, Christine Anderson, of Winnebago, IL, and Mark (Ann) Straub, of Hayward, WI; four grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. John is preceded in death by his wife, Avrilla; parents, Melvin and Dorothy and his sister, Marjorie Glacking.