John Jack Brown

John Brown Jr. -- KankakeeJohn Francis "Jack" Brown Jr. died on Wednesday (Jan. 23, 2008) at his home in Kankakee. He was born on Christmas Eve 1916 in Peoria. He was the youngest child of Ann Plover and John Brown.Early in his life, Jack developed habits that would sustain him for 91 years. As an elementary school student, he balanced studies with helping in his father's grocery store. During the Depression, watching his father give away food while ignoring profits instilled in him a lifelong obligation to others. Jack also served as the head altar boy at the Peoria Cathedral, underlining his Catholic faith, which carried him through not only World War II but in the rearing of seven fabulous children.In Peoria, at age 7, he suffered a serious fall. When he overheard the hospital doctor explain to his mother that he might not walk again, he left the hospital through a window. This same spirit led to a lifetime of athletic endeavors -- a high school football championship game played at Soldier Field, top-ranked Peoria tennis player, swimming across the Illinois River, Kankakee racquetball champion, avid golfer with the distinction of two holes-in-one, and a marathon runner.Jack married Mary Schwarz on April 19, 1941 at St. Bernard's Church in Peoria. After Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Navy and served his country in the South Pacific away from his beloved wife and first three children. Following the war he returned to his dental lab work and, in 1951, moved to Kankakee, where he established his own lab.During his 27 years in Kankakee, he embraced community service. He was a member of St. Martin of Tours Men's Club, a Community Chest fundraiser, president of Bishop McNamara's Huddle Club for two terms, a lifetime blood donor for the Red Cross and founder of the YMCA's Century Club, which donates memberships for children. In 1979 he retired to Hot Spring Village in Arkansas and returned later to Kankakee. To his family, friends and community, he gave the gifts of faith, strong convictions, service and hard work. His family was his first priority.He is survived by his wife and seven children, Vikki and son-in-law, Sheldon Proctor of Evanston, Pat and son-in-law, Phil Aldred of Nipoma, Calif., Jim Brown of Kankakee, Suzy and son-in-law, Jim Ruder of Kankakee, Mary and son-in-law, Tom Rogers of Knoxville, Tenn., Sheila Brown of Kankakee and Liz Brown of Chicago; grandchildren, Chad Proctor, Gareth (Valerie) Proctor, Laura Proctor, Kari McGinnis, Kendra (Bob) Farber, Marc (Becca) Brown, Matt (Jennelle) Ruder, Chris (Shaw) Ruder, Megan (Mike) Roche, Nate Rogers and Ben Rogers; and 11 great-grandchildren.A memorial visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Saturday at the Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, west Kankakee. A memorial Mass will follow at noon at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church.A committal service will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Peoria at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bishop McNamara High School or to the YMCA.

John Jack Brown

December 24, 1916 - January 23, 2008