John J. Gigl

NAME JOHN J. GIGLage 45, passed away suddenly Monday, July 6, 2009, following complications from an aneurism on June 22, at Central DuPage Hospital in Wheaton, IL. Taken too soon, he leaves dreams unfulfilled but will live on in their hearts, walking side by side with them as an angel. BORN: He was November 19, 1963 the son of Myron "Mike" and Patricia "Patt" (Cooper) Gigl in St. Charles, IL. EARLY YEARS:John grew up in St. Charles and attended local schools. He graduated with the class of 1982 from St. Charles High School. EDUCATION: John attended Elgin Community College as well as Waubonsee Community College where he studied engineering. MARRIAGE: John met his wife in the winter of 1985 when he was out with some friends. Names and many laughs were exchanged and two years later they were united in marriage on December 5, 1987. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: They began their new life together in Elgin where they welcomed their daughter Mallory on Mother’s Day 1991. They made their family complete with the birth of their son Christopher on April 13, 1993. A year later the family moved to Elburn where they have since made their home. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:John entered the working world at a Japanese Machine Tool Company and traveled much of the time. He also worked for SDRC in Melrose Park, where he was lead engineer for Navastar, a turbo diesel engine. The last ten years John worked with his brother-in-law for SolidWorks, a premier world renowned mechanical design software company with offices based in Boston, MA. Although John hailed from the small town of Elburn, he held many technology patents and has worked on thousands of products used every day in all industries and walks of life. MEMBERSHIPS: John was a member of the Society of Manufacturing of Engineers. LIFE NOTES: John was fun personified. His life was filled with non-stop jokes and laughter. A kid at heart, other children drew to him and in no time he turned them from mild mannered little kids into a frenzied free-for-all much to their delight and to the chagrin of their parents. His children were his life and he would do anything for them or with them including being "made up" by his daughter complete with a full line of cosmetics. Never officially a coach, he was THE Dad who helped whenever, whatever. Known as "Papa John" to Mallory and Christopher’s friends, he knew them all and had a nickname for each. He was passionate about cars and the NHRA, especially the Force Team. Every Sunday he would descend into his basement with beer and cheese in hand to watch his favorite drivers rip up the racetrack. His cars were never stock as he’d buy a new car and immediately ripped out and re-machine parts to match his own unique vision. Aside from the family care, John also had an RX7 you could hear for miles. His heart beat to the sounds of the rock and roll legends. From Van Halen, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, ACDC, Spinal Tap and more ,when the stereo was turned on, it was turn up to full volume. Family was first in his heart and memories were made every step of the way including the yearly trip to Green Lake, WI where the kids water skied all day long. His laughter will echo through the years and bring smiles to everyone he knew for a long time to come. SURVIVORS: He now leaves his loving wife, Lora, Two children:Mallory Gigl and Christopher Gigl;His father, Myron "Mike" Gigl of Geneva, IL; Two brothers:Robert (Lynn) Gill and their children, Geoffrey and Tyler, of Keller, TX and Richard (Melissa) and their children Erin and David, Gigl of Brighton, MI;One sister, Alison (Bob) George and their daughter, Lily of Red Hook, NY;Mother-in-law, Kathy Osman, of Sugar Grove, IL, Sister-in-law, Chris and Monty Jahns, and their children Matt and Quinn, of Sugar Grove, IL, Brother-in-law, Jeff and Jennifer Osman and their children, Molly and Layne, of Yorkville, IL, Several aunts, uncles and cousins, a close family of friends and his black lab best friend Gertie. John leaves hundreds who will always remember him and the smile he always left on their hearts. PRECEDED:He now joins his mother, Patricia "Patt" Gigl, father-in-law, David Osman and his beloved Roxie who preceded him in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, July 10th, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2009, also at the funeral home. Rev. Christina Vosteen, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Plano, will officiate. Cremation will follow the service and private family graveside services will be held at a later date. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, the family strongly encourages memorials in his honor to benefit a college fund for his children. Checks may be made to the "John Gigl Memorial" and directly deposited at Old Second Bank, Elburn or mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, July 10th, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2009, also at the funeral home. Rev. Christina Vosteen, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Plano, will officiate.

Cremation will follow the service and private family graveside services will be held at a later date.