John Carl "Jack" Dornburg

John Carl (“Jack” ) Dornburg, 87, a long time Kankakee resident and business owner, passed away February 28, 2017. Jack was born in Union Hill, IL on November 10, 1929 and graduated from Reddick High School. In 1951 he married Carmela Armenise and the two moved to Newport, Virginia where they resided at Fort Eustis while Jack served his country during the Korean conflict. Following his service in the U.S. Army, the couple returned to Kankakee and joined the family business owned by Carmela’s father, Carlos Restaurant. After many years of co-ownership, the Dornburgs become sole owners of Carlo’s restaurant until their retirement in 1993. During Jack’s retirement, he pursued many interests, including becoming a realtor, working as a golf ranger at Bon Vivant Country Club in Bourbonnais, and eventually taking a position in security at CSL Bering in Bradley, where he worked full time until his last retirement at the age of 83. Jack is survived by his three daughters, Jacqueline (Jerry) Robinson of Kankakee, Jodie (Bernie) Carey of Grand Rapids, MN, and Julie (Jon) Bartelt of Geneva, Il. In addition, Jack leaves twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He has several nieces and nephews. Jack’s wife of 66 years, Carmela, passed away in 2016. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mildred Dornburg, a brother, Dale, and sister, Helen Conley. In addition to family members Jack leaves behind, the family wishes to acknowledge Dr. Holly Kramer, a special person and dedicated physician who lovingly cared and advocated for Jack over the course of many years, going above and beyond. His daughters would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ellen Tierney, Director of Riverside Senior Living for her compassion and support of Jack and his family following his wife’s recent death. Jack left an impression on and fond memories for countless people. It was rare to go anywhere in public and not encounter those who remembered him as their first boss at Carlo’s when they were teenagers, other families and farmers from the Union Hill area, or those who knew him through many social organizers. He was a longtime member of St. Rose of Lima Church, Quadrille Dance Club, an avid Cubs fan, and a lover of golf. Mostly, he was a lover of people who made friends wherever he went. Visitation will be at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee on Friday, March 3, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 4 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with a memorial service following at 11:00 at the funeral home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any memorials in Jack’s honor please be made directly to Illinois Veterans Home of Manteno (IVHM) ATN: Volunteer office, 1 Veterans Drive Manteno IL 60950.

John Carl "Jack" Dornburg

November 10, 1929 - February 28, 2017