John G. Fowler, Sr.

John (Jack) G. Fowler (1930–2024)

John G. Fowler, 93, of Frankfort, Illinois, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

He was born in Joliet, Illinois on August 16, 1930 – one of ten children born to John & Eileen Fowler. Jack attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Joliet and Herscher High School in Herscher, Illinois. From the young age of twelve, Jack learned the value of hard work when he was sent to live on his older sister and brother-in-law’s farm in Cabery, Illinois. Jack’s time on the farm laid the foundation for Jack’s exceptional ability to fix or build anything – an ability he was known for among his family and friends.

Following high school graduation, Jack enlisted in the military. He served his country in the United States Air Force in the 360th Bomb Squad, 303rd Bomb Wing in Korea during the Korean War.

After returning home from Korea, Jack met the love of his life, Beverly J. Fowler (nee Whiteman) at a football game in 1952. Beverly was friends with Jack’s sister, Marleen Walker (nee Fowler), and she introduced them to each other. The rest was history. Excited to start their new life together, the two were married on October 3, 1953, at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church in Joliet – and they were blessed to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary last October together with family.

Jack and Beverly joyfully welcomed their first-born son, John G. (Val) Fowler Jr., followed by three more children, Jill (Robert) Lawson, Jeff Fowler, and Joan (Richard) Aust. Jack was blessed with three grandchildren, Valerie (Casey) Cleveland, Adam (Sarah) Lawson, and Christopher (Fiona) Aust and five great-grandchildren: Addison, Elliana, Carter, Rowen, and Declan.

After life on the farm and serving his country, Jack never lost his work ethic. He worked as a foreman for Brown Lambrecht Construction helping to build Interstate 80 (I-80) in Illinois. Later he went to work as foreman at the BP Chemical Plant in Whiting, Indiana.

As a devoted Catholic husband and father, everything Jack did was in service to God and his family. Jack was blessed to enjoy an early retirement and spent his time helping to care for his grandchildren, performing countless building and repair projects at the various homes of his children and, above all, serving the

Church. For many years, Jack was on the maintenance committee at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Mokena. When called upon, Jack made repairs in the parish school and church, helped clean the church, and even refinished the wood altar that once stood in the church’s sanctuary. Sr. Kathleen Hook, former principal of St. Mary Catholic School, remarked “When a repair needed to be made in the school or convent, all I had to do was call Jack. He would come, and the broken item would be fixed to perfection.”

Jack will be remembered as a man who worked hard to provide for and serve his family, others, and the Church. He was a man of profound integrity, self-discipline, and a lifelong learner. After a lifetime of hard work, we pray for the repose of his soul and pray confidently that our Lord Jesus Christ will welcome Jack into his eternal home saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly J. Fowler, his parents, John & Eileen Fowler, and his son, Jeff Fowler. He is survived by his children John, Jill, and Joan.  In lieu of flowers, please prayerfully consider donating to the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Address: 1140 West Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607

Donate online at:

https://donate.mercyhome.org/page/114309/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=24M73WB004&_gl=1*12ev47k*_gcl_au*NTM5NTg2MzYwLjE3MDg3MTQ4ODY.

Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort, IL 60423 on Sunday, February 25^th, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Funeral service, Monday, February 26^th, 2024 with prayers at the funeral home at 9:30 AM and then to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 19515 115^th Avenue, Mokena, IL 60448 for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM.  Interment, St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Mokena IL.