John A Bahl passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 in Aurora, IL with his loving wife by his side. He was born to Andrew and Maelo Bahl on October 5, 1930 in Dubuque, IA.
John graduated from Abingdon High School. In January 1951, he married Evelyn M. Shane. He served in the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant for the U.S. Army. In 1957 John and his family moved to the Aurora area while John was working for the Burlington Railroad. After a layoff of firemen on the railroad in 1964, John went to work for Armour-Dial in Montgomery, IL. While working at Dial he took night classes at Aurora College. After 14 years he graduated from Aurora College in 1978 with a BS in Business then again in 1980 with his Masters Degree. In 1976 John and Evelyn purchased a summer home at Lake Bracken in Galesburg, IL. They spent many weekends and vacations there entertaining family and friends until they sold in 1997. John was active with the Junior Achievement program, United Way, volunteered at Hesed House, was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus of the Marquette Assembly and was a boisterous fan of the Oswego Panthers Basketball and Baseball teams. He retired from Dial in 1989. He then partnered with his son-in-law making sausage at the Wurst Kitchen in Aurora. Even after they sold the business, John continued helping out at the store making sausage and assisting customers.
John is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Evelyn Bahl of Aurora, IL, his three daughters, Cathee (Jim) Johnson of Oswego, IL, Christine (Ron) Johnson of Lewisburg, TN and Joan (Randy) Carroll of Oswego, IL, one granddaughter and several grandsons, Nicole Johnson, Joe (Kelly) Johnson, Michael and Nicholas Testone, Andrew and Clayton Carroll, his step-grandsons Dane, Blake, Russell and Cody Johnson, his great-grandson, J.T. Johnson, his brother, Richard (Carolyn) Bahl of Preston, MN, his sister, Mary Lou Brock, brother-in-law Daniel Lester (Idelle) Shane and sister-in-law Maryann (Dave) Severns of Galesburg, IL and many nephews, nieces, in-laws and friends.
He is preceded in death by his son, John A. Bahl, Jr., his infant daughter Josephine, his infant grandson James Andrew Johnson, his sister Carol Hare, his step-grandson Lee Johnson and his parents Andrew and Maelo Bahl.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no visitation. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Aurora, IL pending final arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church at 620 Fifth Street, Aurora, IL 60505.
Arrangements by McKeown-Dunn Funeral Home, Oswego, IL
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