Terrance David James Hivon

Terry Hivon was the best. The best husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Born in Des Plaines in 1948, he made his way further out to Cary and then McHenry, to raise his daughters and build the life he wanted.
He was always involved in school, in sports, and in the people's lives he was near. Terry played sports at Maine West and Cary Grove with teammates he still calls friends to this day. While raising his young family, Terry earned two college degrees. He worked as an Industrial Engineer at Baxter Labs, Oak Industries, and later Cherry Electric. He made lifelong friends at work.
Terry was anchored in faith - faith in God, faith in family, and faith that everything would work out the way God planned. He was involved with the congregation at The Church of Holy Apostles in McHenry. He became a 4th Degree Knight for The Knights of Columbus, offering his time and effort keeping the community rooted in faith.
Among the many things Terry was, he was a loving husband to Cheryl for 32 years. Whether they were working together or traveling together, he showed up with love and laughter. Cheryl's family took Terry on with open arms, and he was a welcome addition to their family.
Terry loved the outdoors. Biking, fishing, hunting, and tennis. He would regularly go on long bike rides, walks, walks with Robin, or play tennis. He was happiest on the water, in the woods, and spending time with friends.
What made Terry special was how he moved through the world. He invented what his family coined as "Hivon Humor" - the perfect balance of quick wit and bad jokes. When he wasn't laughing, he was listening. His daughters will tell you he listened, really listened, and made you feel safe and understood. Even at family gatherings, he would say "I'm resting my eyes," still absorbing every word, every laugh, every moment.
Terry understood that being a good man meant showing up for the people who mattered, even when they weren't physically there. He was patient when his daughters needed guidance, made effort to stay close when people moved away, and always made a point to grow with his girls rather than just watching from the sidelines.
The accident that took Terry from us in McHenry was sudden. But what can't be taken is what he built through decades of choosing to be kind, to be present, and to be Faithful.
Terry is survived by his wife Cheryl; his brother Patrick (Patti); his daughters Amy (Justin) and Robin; Sister-in-law Diane (Dennis); Brother-in-laws Keith, Donald (Tammy), Patrick; granddaughter Emily; neices and nephews Brian, Kevin (Christina), Brooke (Kevin), Kristin (Rhett), Amber (AJ), Kyle, Herman (Tabetha), Keith Jr. (April), Megan (Chris), Dillon; and 18 great neices and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 4-7 PM at Justen Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Friday at 10 AM at The Church of Holy Apostles in McHenry. Terry will be cremated and placed in the columbarium at Holy Apostles.
"I'm resting my eyes," he used to say. Now he rests in our hearts and in the countless lives he touched with his steady, unwavering love.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNEWSVCTDJ or The Church of Holy Apostles in McHenry. For information, please call the Justen Funeral Home, 815-385-2400, or visit www.justenfh.com, where friends and loved ones may share memories of Terry on his tribute wall.