Obituary for John Zichterman
John Booden Zichterman, 83, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-grandfather, passed away at his home in Peoria, IL at 10:45 PM on Friday, April 15
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, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mavis, and his three children, Michael J. (Karen) Zichterman of Chillicothe, IL, Jan D. (Michael) Wilson of Bloomington, IL, and Julie A. (Thomas) York of Kildeer, IL. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Anna J. (Jonathan) Remis of San Francisco, CA, James D. Zichterman of San Francisco, CA, Daniel J. Zichterman of Chicago, IL, Christopher M. Wilson and great-grandson Tyler of Normal, IL, and Karie J. Wilson (John) Fuzfa and great-grandchildren Jacob, Adam, Austin and Julianne of East Peoria, IL. John was born in Kalamazoo, MI on October 15, 1927 to Gerben and Anna G. Zichterman, who preceded him in death, along with one brother, G. Philip Zichterman of Albuquerque, NM. Surviving are four sisters and brothers, A. Ruth (Robert) Drenth of Kalamazoo, MI, Mary L. (“Bob”) Roberts of Goshen, IN, Gerard E. (Josephine) Zichterman of Sunnyvale, CA, and James L. (Sandra) Zichterman of San Jose, CA, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. John graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1945 and joined the United States Navy. He enjoyed singing and was a member of the Blue Jacket Choir while in basic training at Great Lakes, IL. He celebrated his 18
th
birthday upon arriving in the Philippines on his was to the South Pacific. Upon discharge he joined the Naval Reserves while attending Western Michigan University and then began his lifelong career in the lumber and building industry, moving to Grand Rapids, MI after his marriage to Mavis A. DeWitt on August 20, 1948. The family enjoyed all the life afforded by the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan and the wonderful beaches and lakes. John was active in school activities, including coaching Little League, the GR “Jaycees” and various building trade organizations. In 1965 John was transferred to the Chicago area and the family spent the next 28 years in Palos Heights, IL, where the children graduated from high school, college and were married. John was an avid bridge player and sports fan, especially for golf and his “Cubbies”. He and his wife retired to Peoria, IL in 1993 to be near family and care for his wife’s parents, Miner and Clara DeWitt of Grand Rapids, MI. John and Mavis loved to travel, visiting most of our beautiful country, wintering in Gulf Shores, AL, and celebrating their 50
th
anniversary with a trip in tulip time to the Netherlands. But John always loved returning home, singing “I’m on the homeward trail” as he neared Peoria. John in now singing that song in his heavenly home. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends. Cremation has been accorded and private services will be held in Peoria, with a memorial service planned in the near future.
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, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mavis, and his three children, Michael J. (Karen) Zichterman of Chillicothe, IL, Jan D. (Michael) Wilson of Bloomington, IL, and Julie A. (Thomas) York of Kildeer, IL. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Anna J. (Jonathan) Remis of San Francisco, CA, James D. Zichterman of San Francisco, CA, Daniel J. Zichterman of Chicago, IL, Christopher M. Wilson and great-grandson Tyler of Normal, IL, and Karie J. Wilson (John) Fuzfa and great-grandchildren Jacob, Adam, Austin and Julianne of East Peoria, IL. John was born in Kalamazoo, MI on October 15, 1927 to Gerben and Anna G. Zichterman, who preceded him in death, along with one brother, G. Philip Zichterman of Albuquerque, NM. Surviving are four sisters and brothers, A. Ruth (Robert) Drenth of Kalamazoo, MI, Mary L. (“Bob”) Roberts of Goshen, IN, Gerard E. (Josephine) Zichterman of Sunnyvale, CA, and James L. (Sandra) Zichterman of San Jose, CA, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. John graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1945 and joined the United States Navy. He enjoyed singing and was a member of the Blue Jacket Choir while in basic training at Great Lakes, IL. He celebrated his 18
th
birthday upon arriving in the Philippines on his was to the South Pacific. Upon discharge he joined the Naval Reserves while attending Western Michigan University and then began his lifelong career in the lumber and building industry, moving to Grand Rapids, MI after his marriage to Mavis A. DeWitt on August 20, 1948. The family enjoyed all the life afforded by the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan and the wonderful beaches and lakes. John was active in school activities, including coaching Little League, the GR “Jaycees” and various building trade organizations. In 1965 John was transferred to the Chicago area and the family spent the next 28 years in Palos Heights, IL, where the children graduated from high school, college and were married. John was an avid bridge player and sports fan, especially for golf and his “Cubbies”. He and his wife retired to Peoria, IL in 1993 to be near family and care for his wife’s parents, Miner and Clara DeWitt of Grand Rapids, MI. John and Mavis loved to travel, visiting most of our beautiful country, wintering in Gulf Shores, AL, and celebrating their 50
th
anniversary with a trip in tulip time to the Netherlands. But John always loved returning home, singing “I’m on the homeward trail” as he neared Peoria. John in now singing that song in his heavenly home. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends. Cremation has been accorded and private services will be held in Peoria, with a memorial service planned in the near future.
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