John Kirchberg, Sr

John D. Kirchberg, 79, died Thursday, June 5, 2014 after a brief illness.

He was born July 24, 1934 in Crystal Lake, the son of Anthony and Alma Kirchberg.

He graduated from Crystal Lake Community High School in 1952 and went on to the University of Illinois Champaign where he played football and met his best friend and the love of his life, Patti Wells. They were married on June 2, 1962. For 49 loving years, they raised their family in Crystal Lake.

John enlisted in the Army and was sent to Germany in 1953. He spent his years in service to his country as a war-time veteran during the Korean War. When he returned to the US, he got his first job as a teacher and football / basketball coach at Marian Central Catholic High School, where he was recently honored with induction into their Hall of Fame, along with his good friend Tom Parsley.

After college, he was a sales executive with Ladd Enterprises and sold most of the homes in the Coventry subdivision of Crystal Lake. He opened Kirchberg Realty with his wife in the 1970s, and practiced real estate in Crystal Lake for over 40 years. He was a member of the Crystal Lake Country Club and was known for driving the 10th green. He was also a member of St Thomas the Apostle church.

John lived every day to the fullest and was an avid sports fan, especially of the Chicago Bears and the Iowa Hawkeyes, where all his children attended. He lived for spending time with his four kids and was the life of every party. His grandchildren loved him for his quick wit and funny stories, which were endless.

He is survived by his children, Jackie (TJ) Baumann, JD (Jill) Kirchberg, Jim (Myra) Kirchberg, all of Crystal Lake, and Jeff (Nicole) Kirchberg of Bradenton, FL; his 10 grandchildren, Connor, Garrett, Olivia, Alyssa, Nathan, Nicole, Ellie, Ryan, Ethan, and Danielle; his brother Richard (Mary Lou) Kirchberg; and his sister-in-law Susie (Ted) Trownsell.

He was preceded in death by his adoring wife Patti, his brother Jerry, his sister Joan, and his parents.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, June 13, 2014 at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park (Dole Mansion), 401 Country Club Rd, Crystal Lake from 5 to 9 pm, with a memorial service starting at 6:30 pm.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to JourneyCare Foundation, 405 North Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010, 224-770-2413

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