John Paul Nandzik

John Paul Nandzik was born January 22, 1937, in South Bend, Indiana, to Marie (Peschke) and Paul Nandzik. He passed away on September 11, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his daughters, Terri Skiba and Kelly Hart with her husband Jason Snebold; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tyler and Wendi Skiba (Tristan), Dana and Bryce Cushman (Beckett, Lyza, and Evie), Bailey and Adam Dutko (Bryn and Atlee), Miranda and Mitch Machmuller (Jaxon), Jordan Hart and fiancé, Ben Childers. Also surviving are his brother, Ed, his wife Rose, and their family; stepchildren, Sarah and Aaron Bexell, and Adam Orde. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elfriede. After graduating from Riley High School in South Bend, John earned two certificates in electronics from Acme School of Die Design in South Bend and DeVry University in Chicago. In 1959, he joined the Air Force and served for six years at Bunker Hill Air Force Base in Indiana, maintaining equipment for electronic measures in B-58 bombers. When he first moved to Rockford, he worked in the manufacturing community until 1974, when he was hired by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International (FMA). During this time, John earned an associate's degree from Rock Valley Community College. He became President and CEO of FMA until his retirement in 2002. While working for FMA, he traveled the world providing scholarships, educational programs, trade shows, and publications. John was also a proud and active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), taking on many leadership roles. John's main interest and pride in his life was his family. He loved and cared for them in every way possible. He enjoyed hiking in the mountains, skiing, riding his motorcycles, music, dancing, and getting together with friends. He and his wife, Sharon, went to Punta Gorda, Florida, as snowbirds for 19 years, making friends, enjoying the weather, and engaging in social life and projects in their community. In Rockford, John served on the Rock Valley Community College Industrial Council, Rockford Memorial Hospital Committee for Today and Tomorrow, and the Board of Remedies. He was an active member and volunteer of the Alpine Kiwanis, the Masons, and Christ Lutheran Church. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church, 425 Riverside Rd., Belvidere, IL 61008. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., followed immediately by the service. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alpine Kiwanis Club of Rockford. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Paul Nandzik, please visit our floral store.