Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
John Link Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Link
Sponsored by Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Morton.
Marcy Pelka Debis
July 1, 2021
Mr. Link was one of my teachers at Norwood Grade School. So sorry to hear of his passing
Dr and Mrs Freesmeier
Dan and Ruth Freesmeier
September 9, 2019
Missed coming to meet this man's family- I am sure he was proud of you all! He was the best educator I have ever known. It was no guess that he supported his staff! We at CCS could not have asked for a better person to lead us through some difficult times. We will keep you all in our prayers- Dr Dan and Ruth Freesmeier
Michael Link
September 8, 2019
I am very saddened to hear this news. I will be praying for his family.
Tom Schoen
September 8, 2019
Kelley, Brian, Marsha, and family,
Our friendship was brief, just the last few years. During workouts at Golds.
It was clear the first time I met John, that he had a large compassionate and caring heart for all. The challenges he faced, with great courage, could never diminish in the slightest his gentle compassion for others.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Kristy Mccarty
September 7, 2019
Thoughts and prayers, John will be greatly missed
Ryan Alwood
September 5, 2019
My condolences to the entire Link family. I have so many fond memories of John growing up and am sorry to hear of his passing.
Dave Mabeus
September 5, 2019
To me I'll always remember him as Mr Link. He was my Pleasant Valley 7th grade teacher, PE teacher & coach. I think about him all the time. I remember him keeping his paddle by the door & that's all it took for me, total intimidation, lol. I remember getting swats from most of the teachers but wasn't interested in getting one from him. He was an awesome teacher & coach, he pushed us to succeed. He will be missed by many including myself.
Staci (Stone)Gilmore
September 4, 2019
He was a great principal at PV! Class of '93
September 4, 2019
Brian and family, so sorry for your loss.
Becky Z.
September 4, 2019
Mr.Link was a great leader of young people. I loved his positive attitude and sometimes tough love he would give to me and all of us at Pleasant Valley Grade School. He will be missed, my best to his family and friends.
Billy Martin
PVGS Class of 86
Ron Higgins
September 4, 2019
During the late 1940's and part of the 1950's I grew up in the same neighborhood with Gary, Johnny, and Jimmy on 16th and Buff St's. We were very good friends. Even though Gary and I were in the same grade it was more of Johnny and I who were closer. All of us and some of the other neighbors who lived on Buff St behind the Link's played together. The Link's had a basketball hoop so we played Basketball in their back yard. They also had a pear tree and rhubarb plant that we all snacked on. We had grapes and raspberries in my yard to share with them and across the street was an apple tree. We ate good and healthy for kids! There was a wheat field behind our house and we often would play in it chewing on the wheat tops and fly our kites out there. There was a "hill" at the end of Buff St. which was a dead end street and in the winter we would make a "train" with our sleds and go down that hill together. We played every day after school together, on holidays, weekends,and especially school summer vacations. On many a day during summer we would walk to the Pekin Park Lagoon and go fishing. Now Johnny was kind of known for not being too agile...so whenever we were fishing we would hear a big splash. There Johnny would be with his jeans soaking wet...it was always "Well Johnny has fallen into the lagoon..AGAIN!!! Poor guy! Sometimes I think he did it on purpose just to cool off. I could not swim so I would have panicked or screamed and could have gotten us into trouble, but Johnny was cool, always quiet and laughed about it.
My family would be eating supper and we would hear from the back screen door "Can Ronnie come out and play"? My folks would say not now Johnny we are eating supper. Three minutes later"Can Ronnie come out to play"? As I said, we had screen doors back then. Ours sagged inside from Johnny putting his face into the screen pushing to see if he could see inside, I guess. I will never forget that saggy screen door. haha
We moved away in 1958 to the south side of Pekin and I could only think how in the world would I be able to exist without my Link friends. But time passes on. Years later when I was going back to school at ICC I was sitting in a classroom waiting for the first lecture in Biology. When I saw this tall handsome guy walk in I thought I think I know that guy and when he sat down in the chair next to me in the back of the classroom we were reunited. We had some catching up to do so we talked once in a while during lecture. A few times we ducked a flying eraser coming at us. In College??? I guess our instructor thought he was teaching a grade or high school class...GEEZ!! I think he could see us talking towards each other rather than actually hearing us as we were not talking loud or carrying on or anything.
Then perhaps another 10 years or so went by when the three of us met once again for the last time. It was at Preston Hanley Funeral home during the visitation of their grandmother.l That was the last time I saw my friend Johnny. What a great guy!!
I know that he is with Jesus now, his folks, Jerry and Mary, his grandma and Aunt Shirley. So when my time come I too will be pressing up against those pearly gates with my head and ask, Can Johnny come out and play?
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy Gary, Jimmy, Johnny's wife, kids and grand kids.
RIP Johnny!
Ron Higgins
346-7915
Vanessa Tibbs
September 3, 2019
I feel truly blessed to have gotten to know John during his time at Carroll Catholic. Many thoughts and prayers to your family.
Vince Tennell
September 3, 2019
So sorry about John's passing. I knew him since grade school. I also enjoyed John's company working out with him for many years at Parkside Athletics in Pekin.
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
Make a Donation
in John Link's name
Memorial Events
for John Link
Funeral services provided by:
Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Morton140 S. Detroit Ave., Morton, IL 61550
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Link's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
