Mr. John T. Merwin

John Thomas Merwin, recently of Mokena, passed away peacefully at home with family at his bedside on Thursday, September 21, 2017, after 88 productive years. John was born June 23, 1929, in Chicago, IL. He married Evelyn Joan Obarski on May 24, 1953. She preceded him in death in 2011. His parents preceded him in death as did his only brother. Five children carry on the Merwin legacy: Janice (Steve) Brown, Sharon Merwin (Greg Spiess), Nancy Krabbenhoeft, Michael Merwin, and Mary Beth (Ken) Kaczmarek.Twelve grandchildren called John Grandpa: Nicolle (John) Glover, Noelle (Joe) Appleman, Kevin (Nikki Lamba), Chris, and Nick Krabbenhoeft, Carl (Nikki) Spiess, Elizabeth (CaHontas) Vincent, Jeffrey Heaton, Tracy and Casey Merwin, Nicole and Katelyn Kaczmarek, with nine great-grandchildren following on: Duncan and Rowan Glover, Cade Appleman, Pelle and Adelaide Krabbenhoeft, Anika Krabbenhoeft, Leah and Noah Vincent, and Landon Merritt. A proud veteran, he served with the U. S. Army in Korea. John graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and embarked on a 42-year career at Commonwealth Edison, where he held various technical and management positions in fossil fuel plants and in construction of nuclear power plants. Beyond his own career, he fostered a climate of pursuing excellence in his children as well. He retired in 1990 and never stopped moving. A skilled tinkerer with a voracious mind for facts and data, John pursued projects as varied as home construction, woodworking, mastering the personal computer, and scale-model auto and ship building. The family thought him a walking encyclopedia and he always had his facts at hand. Not content to stay at home, John gave back to the community through volunteer work, such as teaching driving skills for seniors for AARP, and preparing annual income taxes for seniors, both activities through the auspices of Senior Services of Will County. Busy or not, there was always time for kids, grandkids, friends, and birds of any feather in the Merwin backyard with Grandpa John at the grill, his booming voice cheering three generations of Merwin's in pick-up baseball games. John and Evelyn also loved travel and particularly enjoyed the northeastern U.S. and Canadian Maritime Provinces. And the Cubs! While born a Southsider, John (and Evelyn) became staunch Cubs fans...just a little short of rabid. Their heroes and gladiators had names like Banks, Santo, and Sandberg. John attended games until passing years held him back, but he never missed a game on radio or TV, and had the key statistics ready to pull from that voluminous memory. John was blessed to have his faculties intact right to the end, although his aging body eventually failed him. His faith and love for family buoyed him up in his last days and he went to join Evelyn quietly and with dignity. That's about all any man could ask for. The family is grateful for the care and kindness so many friends showed John. In addition, thanks go to the caring staff of Brookdale Senior Living in Orland Park, IL., and for the expert and compassionate care given by the doctors and staff of Sanitas Medical Group of Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, IL. The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 24, 2017, from 2pm to 7pm at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road, New Lenox, IL. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Monday, September 25, 2017, at St. Jude's Catholic Church, 241 W. Second Avenue, New Lenox, IL. Private Family Interment Services will be held at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Senior Services of Will County http://willcountyseniors.org/ways-to-give/ or to the charity of the donor's choice. Info www.kurtzmemorialchapel.com or 815-485-3700