John Thomas Kuffel Jr.

"Jack" Kuffel peacefully departed this world while asleep in his home on Saturday, October 17, 2015. John Thomas Kuffel Jr. was born to John (Jack Sr.) and Florence (Flo) Kuffel on January 22, 1934. He had three younger siblings; Richard and Donald Kuffel and Donna (Kuffel) Shear. Jack is preceded in death by his parents and brothers. He married Melody (Shell) Kuffel in 1961 and they had two daughters, Dawn (Kuffel) Pierce and Darlinda (Kuffel) Holland. He has one son-in-law, Matthew Pierce, and six grandchildren, Candice Latimer, Kristin (Latimer) Lackey, Tyler Pierce, Amanda Holland, Brandon Holland and Colton Holland. He also has three great granddaughters, Addison, Emerson and Mackenzie Lackey. In his younger days, Jack was president of the Grenadiers Car Club and won several drag races in the 1934 Ford pick-up truck that he customized for racing. He also served his country for two years in the United States Army and was an active member of the American Legion and VFW. Jack was very passionate about flying and earned a private pilot’s license. Because of his love for flying he was a longtime EAA member and actively participated in the Young Eagles program. He attended the Oshkosh Air Show regularly, missing only three years since he began going, one of which was this past year due to illness. He was a member of the Carpenters Union and retired after working 50yrs for them. He built a two story garage (that most thought was a home) where he spent most of his free time building things and working on cars. On the adjacent lot he built the home where he and his wife have lived for the past 54yrs. He also worked for Turner and Witt as a Construction Technologist and owned a construction business, JTK Construction, for a six years. Jack attended Kankakee Community College and earned Associate Degrees in Construction Management, Refrigeration/Air Conditioning and Welding. He also taught a welding class at the college for a couple of years. He was a faithful member of St Mark United Methodist church for many years where he and his wife were youth leaders. Most recently he was a very active member of the Calvary Bible church and loved serving the Awana club and helping the children with the Pine Car Derby. Jack worked hard during his life, but would always take time to appreciate nature and the “small things” and mentioned this in every prayer he said at family gatherings. He was loved very much by his family and friends and will be greatly missed. Visitation will be at 9:30 on Saturday, October 24th at Calvary Bible Church in Bourbonnais and a service will be held in the sanctuary from 10:30-11:30.

John Thomas Kuffel Jr.

January 22, 1934 - October 17, 2015