John Whildin

1949 - 2024

John Whildin
Born: October 15, 1949
Died: October 22, 2024
John Whildin, age 75, of Elburn, IL passed away, surrounded by the love of his family at Northwestern-Delnor Hospital in Geneva on October 22, 2024 after a 10-year battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born October 15, 1949 to the late Wayne and Mary (Rowe) Whildin of Sugar Grove.
John graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1967, and then attended Illinois State University where he earned his bachelor's degree in Agri-business in 1971. From there he returned to the family farm on Wheeler Road in Sugar Grove, and took the reins from his father, where he continued to farm until 1996. Along the way, he married Alynn Austin in 1970 and had two children, Brandon and Courtney. After a while, John and Alynn parted ways, and in 1983 he married Linda Smiley and welcomed Michael in 1988.
After farming, John spent some years as a facility manager with Homemakers as well as the Crown Equipment Corporation. Following retirement at 65, John found his way back into agriculture by helping out various farmer friends in the spring and fall. This still allowed him time to travel with Linda to Europe, winters in Arizona, as well as visiting lifelong friends who were spread around the country.
John lived his whole life within 10 miles and three different homes, and was proud to be from this area. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Aurora. He served on several boards over the years. The Kane County Farm Bureau, The Elburn CO-OP, The Sugar Grove/Big Rock Park Board, The Rob Roy Drainage District, The Kane County Mental Health Alliance (INC) and the West Big Rock Cemetery, which he served on for 50-plus years until the time of his passing.
He now leaves the love of his life, Linda (nee Smiley); three children, Brandon (Susan) Whildin of Elburn, Courtney (Darren) Lackey of Geneva, and Michael Whildin of Batavia; and six grandchildren, Grant, Macey and Reese Lackey. and Ian, Aidan and Evan Whildin.
A visitation will take place on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 3 PM to 6 PM at The Healy Chapel, 370 Division Dr., Sugar Grove, IL 60554. A funeral service will immediately follow the visitation at 6 PM. Interment will take place at West Big Rock Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church of Aurora, 299 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL 60506.
For more information or to sign the online guestbook, call 630-466-1330 or visit HealyChapel.com.