John J. Machias

JOHN J. MACHIAS, age 81, of Elburn, passed away Friday evening, February 11, 2011 at Rosewood Care Center in St. Charles, IL. BORN: He was born November 30, 1929 in the Bronx of New York, NY, the son of John J. Sr. and Edith (Nikkenen) Machias. EARLY YEARS:He grew up in the Bronx where everyone called him Johnny. When he was nine the family moved to Joliet where he graduated high school in 1948. EDUCATION: Following graduation he attended Lewis College in Lockport, IL for a time. MILITARY: Johnny enlisted in the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge on May 10, 1952, Johnny began working for various companies in various sales and marketing positions spending the last eighteen years at U. S. Tsubakimoto, retiring in 1992. MARRIAGE: Johnny met the love of his life after returning from the service. Coral Hock stole his heart, but gave hers in return when they were united in marriage on October 25, 1953 in Joliet. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: They began their new life together in Joliet for a short time before moving to Aurora in 1955 and began raising a family. They traded the city streets for the country life in Nottingham Woods of Elburn in 1975 where Johnny felt right at home in the great outdoors and socializing with neighbors, many of whom became very close friends. MEMBERSHIPS: Johnny was one of the first members of Hughes Creek Golf Course when it opened and spent time on the links nearly every day thereafter. He and Coral were also members of the Kaneville United Methodist Church in Kaneville, IL.LIFE NOTES: Johnny was a salesman at heart even in retirement and enjoyed working part time S.E.S. Construction Equipment in West Chicago. He also loved to travel with Coral to Brownsville, TX, Ludington, MI and Machias, ME among many others making memories with every mile. In 1986 they travelled to Hawaii and sampled the island life. Johnny also had a standing "play-date" every Friday with his grandchildren for many years. He was an avid golfer but also loved to fish and camp and played Couples Bridge for forty years with the Pierson’s, Snyder’s and Johnson’s. Johnny also gave of his time and heart to the Salvation Army, once travelling to South Dakota where helped to care for flood victims. Locally he served as an election judge for Blackberry Township. Johnny loved to cheer for his Chicago teams but no one cheered louder when he attended his daughter’s sporting events, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles to surprise her. SURVIVORS: He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Coral Machias, His son Jeffrey Machias of IL, One daughter, Lea Ann (Tim) Brei of Cortland, IL, Five grandchildren:Jessica Machias of Texas, Willis Brei, Johnny Brei, Emmett Brei andTimmy Brei all of Cortland, IL;One sister Barbara Machias of Joliet, IL;Two sister-in-laws:Lois (Leonard) Perretta of Joliet, IL and Beverly Suhadolc of Joliet;One brother-in-law, Jack (Charlene) Wagner of Shorewood, IL and was a favorite "Uncle Johnny" to eleven nieces and nephews. PRECEDED:He is preceded in death in by his parents. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at Kaneville United Methodist Church with a funeral service to follow visitation at 12 p.m. Rev. Mark Harkness, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "John Machias Memorial" and 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 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at Kaneville United Methodist Church with a funeral service to follow visitation at 12 p.m. Rev. Mark Harkness, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL.