John F. Nihill
The St. Francis High School community would like to extend our condolences to the Nihill family on the passing of John F. Nihill, father of John (Jack) Nihill '68 and Marty Nihill '69.
John F. Nihill, Jr., age 91 and longtime resident of Wheaton, passed away peacefully in his more recent home at Tabor Hills of Naperville surrounded by his family. In his final days, his children, and grandchildren were able to enjoy his teasing and sweet visits. He will be sorely missed by all. We know he is resting peacefully now with his wife Terry and will remain in our hearts forever.
Jack was, born in Chicago, the son of the late John and Mary (Mae) Nihill. He attended St. Mel's and Crane Tech High School and enlisted in the Navy in June 1944. He served on the US Hopping APD 51 as Fireman 1st class- Electrician during World War II. In 1946 he was proudly initiated into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union local 134 where he remained for the last 72 years. While working for Gibson Electric most of his career, Jack was nicknamed Duke because his tool belt looked like holsters and he called himself the John Wayne of the Western suburbs. He met the love of his life, Terry Burke through his sister Marylou and they were engaged in 1947 and married in June of 1949. They lived in Chicago until 1953, when they moved to Wheaton where they raised their nine children.
A longtime member of St. Michael's Parish, this father of nine, volunteered over 20 years to coach football at St Michaels and coached Little League baseball with his friends, Dick Sandberg and Bill Cashin. He loved to cheer at the many sporting and school events of his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.
Jack is survived by his nine devoted children: Jack (Marsha Felps); Marty (Kathy Boarini); Mary (Mike) Fitzgerald; Cathy Rademaker; Tisha (Ron Botto); Nancy (Darrell) Adkins; Tom (Theresa Coye); Ann (Larry) Impola; and Dan (Christi Rachwal); his 20 loving grandchildren and 32 delightful great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his dear sisters Peggy (the late Ray) Lies, Nancy (the late Bill) Andrle, Martha and Don Hojnacki. He is also survived by his dear friend and brother in law, Richard (the late Winnie) Virzi. He was also preceded in death by his wife Theresa (Terry, nee Burke), his loving grandson Brian (Joanne Sneed) Fitzgerald and his sweet great grandson Patrick Duke Fitzgerald (parents Patrick and Carolyn). John was also preceded in death by his parents, John Sr and Mary (Mae), his toddler brother Thomas and his sister Mary Lou (the late Bud) Bruhn and many of his Burke in-laws. Jack was also the fond uncle of many nieces and nephews and lots of wonderful friends and neighbors. His family wishes to especially thank the nurses, caregivers and staff of Tabor Hills and the Kindred Hospice family where they were able to allow his peaceful transition into death among friends and family and loving caregivers.
Visitation will be on Thursday, January 25 from 3pm until 9 pm at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home 430 E. Roosevelt Rd (1 block east of Naperville Rd.), Wheaton Illinois. Funeral mass will be on Friday, January 26 at 10 am at St. Michael Church in Wheaton. Internment will take place at St. Michael Cemetery following mass.
Jack was, born in Chicago, the son of the late John and Mary (Mae) Nihill. He attended St. Mel's and Crane Tech High School and enlisted in the Navy in June 1944. He served on the US Hopping APD 51 as Fireman 1st class- Electrician during World War II. In 1946 he was proudly initiated into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union local 134 where he remained for the last 72 years. While working for Gibson Electric most of his career, Jack was nicknamed Duke because his tool belt looked like holsters and he called himself the John Wayne of the Western suburbs. He met the love of his life, Terry Burke through his sister Marylou and they were engaged in 1947 and married in June of 1949. They lived in Chicago until 1953, when they moved to Wheaton where they raised their nine children.
A longtime member of St. Michael's Parish, this father of nine, volunteered over 20 years to coach football at St Michaels and coached Little League baseball with his friends, Dick Sandberg and Bill Cashin. He loved to cheer at the many sporting and school events of his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.
Jack is survived by his nine devoted children: Jack (Marsha Felps); Marty (Kathy Boarini); Mary (Mike) Fitzgerald; Cathy Rademaker; Tisha (Ron Botto); Nancy (Darrell) Adkins; Tom (Theresa Coye); Ann (Larry) Impola; and Dan (Christi Rachwal); his 20 loving grandchildren and 32 delightful great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his dear sisters Peggy (the late Ray) Lies, Nancy (the late Bill) Andrle, Martha and Don Hojnacki. He is also survived by his dear friend and brother in law, Richard (the late Winnie) Virzi. He was also preceded in death by his wife Theresa (Terry, nee Burke), his loving grandson Brian (Joanne Sneed) Fitzgerald and his sweet great grandson Patrick Duke Fitzgerald (parents Patrick and Carolyn). John was also preceded in death by his parents, John Sr and Mary (Mae), his toddler brother Thomas and his sister Mary Lou (the late Bud) Bruhn and many of his Burke in-laws. Jack was also the fond uncle of many nieces and nephews and lots of wonderful friends and neighbors. His family wishes to especially thank the nurses, caregivers and staff of Tabor Hills and the Kindred Hospice family where they were able to allow his peaceful transition into death among friends and family and loving caregivers.
Visitation will be on Thursday, January 25 from 3pm until 9 pm at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home 430 E. Roosevelt Rd (1 block east of Naperville Rd.), Wheaton Illinois. Funeral mass will be on Friday, January 26 at 10 am at St. Michael Church in Wheaton. Internment will take place at St. Michael Cemetery following mass.
St. Francis High School
2130 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone (630) 668-5800
Fax (630) 668-5893
Phone (630) 668-5800
Fax (630) 668-5893
