John J. Gard

John J. Gard, age 69, of Bradley, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 23, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. John was the son of John & Laura Bollman Gard. He married Carol A. Granger on June 12, 1982. John spent much of his life volunteering his time at the Lion’s Club and with the Special Olympics. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling to all the swim meets and cheering on the participants. Everyone enjoyed John’s pancakes and French toast that he lovingly cooked every other Sunday morning at the Moose. John was everyone’s “go to guy.” He spent many hours making his family and friends happy by sitting around the campfire where they all reminisced and made cherished memories. Camping at KOA, Shafer Lake, and in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee held a special place in his heart. He bowled on many leagues, but most of all enjoyed his Saturday morning senior league, where they ate donuts, drank coffee, and solved the world problems. John was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving in the Philippines from 1966-1970. He had worked at General Color & Equipment and retired from Millipore. He most recently worked as a bus aid at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School with the special education children that he loved dearly. Surviving are his wife, Carol A. Gard of Bradley; his children, Judy Mau (Steve Bisaillon), Jennifer Gard, John Robert (Martha Cook) Gard ; three grandchildren, Cheyenne Mau, Dakota Bisaillon, and Reyna Gard; two nephews, Robert D. Granger and Richard Granger; one niece, Nicole DeLeon McLelland (John Sego); great-nieces, Hope Faith Granger, Evelyn Jo McLelland, Emily Mary McLelland, Carla Granger, Robert James Granger; and special neighbor, Rose Marie Herzog Farthing; one sister and one brother-in-law, Lou & Patty Hurt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Robert & Irene Granger and Edward & Gloria Granger. He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Pam DeLuca Gard; his second wife, Towanda Paradise Gard; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Robert & Alice Granger; his brother, Dean Gard; and one granddaughter, Lynnzie Mae Gard. And because God called, we sent our “go to guy” off to help St. Peter repair the Pearly Gates. The family wishes to thank Hospice of Kankakee Valley for their excellent care of our loved one. Visitation will be held 4-8:00 on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2017 at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Kankakee. Cremation Rites will be accorded following the funeral Mass. Private family inurnment will be held next week at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley.

John J. Gard

October 22, 1947 - January 23, 2017