John Adelmann, Jr

John Adelmann, 68, passed away peacefully at his Woodstock, IL home, surrounded by his loving wife and family on Monday, March 26, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer.

The son of John and Bernice (Cunico) Adelmann, John grew up in Lockport, Illinois. He graduated from Lockport Township High School in 1961. John loved baseball and was a pitcher for Lockport High and at Northern Illinois University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees.

He married his high school sweetheart, Jeanne Rodeghero, on January 4, 1964. Together they shared 48 happy years, raising and deeply loving their three children, and their children's families.

John taught history at West Chicago High School for three years, then joined the faculty of McHenry County College (MCC) in 1969, during its second year of operation. Serving as a guidance counselor, he was passionate about the potential of the new community college system to provide an alternate pathway to enrich young lives. He impacted the growth and success of MCC for thirty years as Director of Student Services (1974), Dean of Instruction (1985), and Vice President of Academic Affairs (1990) until his retirement in 1999. During his tenure, MCC's community impact footprint grew—from 1,200 annually enrolled students in a rented oil company laboratory building to more than 10,000 students attending classes at locations throughout McHenry County, including the college’s 112-acre main campus.

At the time of his retirement, John said his most significant professional accomplishment was introducing technology into MCC’s instructional program. He oversaw the college’s expansion of computers from 15 to 900 over a fourteen-year span, and continued to champion technology funding, software, and systems upgrades until his retirement. He was instrumental in paving the way for MCC’s current technology reach—a foundation for education, training, and events that today serves nearly 60,000 people each year.

A firm believer in the power of a ten-minute donut break, John provided them weekly to MCC’s faculty and administration and—unbeknownst to many—from his own pocket. Always one to dig out a student’s car after a snowstorm or take time to encourage a young adult in need of a second chance, his life was marked by graciousness, generosity, humility, patriotism, and an unending sense of humor that stayed with him through his final days.

John thoroughly enjoyed golfing, collecting and refinishing antiques, and spending time with his family on Lake DuBay in Wisconsin. His most significant accomplishment in life was being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, supporting his family with selfless and unconditional love. His highest priority to the end was caring for Jeanne, the love of his life, and ensuring the well-being of his family. In the face of nearly a decade of major surgeries, treatments and procedures, his spirit remained indomitable and his life fully lived—even working in an annual family trip to Florida, the day after his final hospital stay in February 2012. Upon return, he entrusted himself into Christ’s hands and was “waiting for the Lord to bring [him] home.

John will be missed by all who knew his selflessness and patience, and most of all by his family.

In addition to his wife Jeanne, he is survived by his children, Susan Adelmann of Lake in the Hills, Sharon (Nate) Kostal of Marengo and Steven (Tanya) Adelmann of Carthage, N. C.; grandchildren, Allix (Mike Ortegon) and Ian Valentine, Jacob and Cody Adelmann, Ian and Miranda Estep; his first great-grandchild, expected in September 2012; a sister, Kathy (Bob) Angus; several aunts and uncles, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.


He was preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Bernice (Cunico) Adelmann, his sister Jeanine Andreasen, and beloved adopted family members Vince Gordon and Henry Harper.


Memorial visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at Davenport Funeral Home, 419 East Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake. A tribute service will immediately follow at 1 p.m. Interment will be private at Crystal Lake Memorial Park.


A memorial scholarship has been established in John’s name at McHenry County College. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John J. Adelmann Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of MCC Foundation, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake, IL. 60012.

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