John W. "Jack" Klasey

John W. “Jack” Klasey, age 86 of Kankakee, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee. He was born October 25, 1939, in Chicago, the son of John P. and Mary (Sullivan) Klasey. Jack married Glory Ryan on May 19, 1962, at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee, WI. Jack was a longtime parishioner of St. Teresa Catholic Church and a current parishioner of St. John Paul II. Jack attended Marquette University and was a graduate of Governors State University. Jack had been a reporter for the Kankakee Daily Journal. He worked for Imperial International Learning and later became a freelance technical writer. Jack worked for Goodheart-Willcox Publishing in Tinley Park as a book editor and author. Jack co-authored “Of The People.” He wrote columns on Kankakee County History for the Kankakee Daily Journal for 8 years. Jack authored several photography textbooks. Jack enjoyed photography and was an avid reader. He authored a book, “Prince of Wheelwrights” on the Ferris Wheel at the 1893 Columbian Exposition. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Glory of Kankakee; two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Sue Klasey of Forest Park, IL, Kevin and Marcia Klasey of Kankakee; two daughters and sons-in-law, Katie and Rob Gorham of Bloomington, Anne and Mike Kimery of Bourbonnais; one sister, Kathy Lambros of Crestwood; one brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Chris Klasey of Bellevue, WA; four grandchildren, Jack and Rachel Klasey, Caroline and Isabelle Carbone-Klasey, Matt Milaneses, and Jillian Gorham; three great-grandchildren, Landon Latham, Harrison Klasey, and Emmett Klasey. Jack is preceded in death by his parents; and one son, Kerry Patrick Klasey. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial visitation will be from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025, at St. John Paul II, East Campus (St. Teresa Catholic Church). Inurnment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kankakee, at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Kankakee County Historical Society, St. John Paul II, or Uplifted Care. “Until we meet again, may God keep you in the hollow of His hand.”

John W. "Jack" Klasey

October 25, 1939 - November 25, 2025