In the early hours of Sunday, the 11th of November, and after a full life of 90 years, John Byshenk gave his final nod to the mortal bonds of this life to await the trumpet sound of Christ’s return. He was a truly good man, of integrity and righteousness. He engraved the words of Jesus on his heart: he loved God with his heart, soul, mind, and strength and treated his neighbors as he did himself. He was kind and generous, thoughtful and wise, faithful and caring, dependable and diligent. John’s passing leaves a hole in our hearts; he will be missed by many.

John was a longtime member of Hope Lutheran Church in Countryside, where he sang in the choir, served officially as a trustee and elder, and volunteered his time as a carpenter, electrician, driver, and more. Professionally, he made his living as a civil engineer, working in the Chicago area for H. W. Lochner and later for Baker Engineering. Privately, John was an avid reader of novels and history, as well as of the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, Smithsonian, and National Geographic. He also loved classical music and would recognize works by composers from Bach to Haydn to Strauss to Dvorak.John was a longtime resident of La Grange, Illinois, and, as he wanted, he died in the home he had lived in since 1973.

John was born in Chicago and grew up in Rogers Park and Albany Park. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, John joined the navy to see the world. When he returned from the Pacific and was honorably discharged, he completed his engineering degree near downtown at Chicago Technical College. He met his wife in a young adults group at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Chicago’s near north side. June was a career-minded girl from St. Cloud, Minnesota, who had come to the big city to make a start in fashion design. John and June married and continued their membership at First St. Paul’s until their first three children were baptized. The small family moved out to the wider vistas of La Grange and invited John’s mother to come live with them. John commuted into Chicago daily by train and helped lead Cub Scout Pack 77, setting an example for his own sons and the children of the community.

John is survived by his faithful wife of 58 years, June (nee Biendara) Byshenk; his children Gregory (Johanna), Jeanne (Jason) Klansek, Andrew (Susan), and Timothy; his grandchildren Cian Colgrove, Jesse, Marshall, and Will Klansek, Anastasia (Jose) Carmona, Stephanie (Tad) Alteneder, Elizabeth and Daniel Byshenk; his great-grandchildren Brandon and Jason Carmona, Lorelei Alteneder, Joslynn, Layla, and Beatriss Byshenk; nieces and nephews galore; and more friends than we can count. John was preceded in death by his parents, John Matthew and Lillian (nee Sinitzina) Byshenk, his half-brother Bob (Virginia) Krause, and his half-brother George Krause.

A wake will be held 4 to 8 pm on Thursday, November 15 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Family and friends will gather for a funeral service 10 am on Friday, November 16 at Hope Lutheran Church, 6455 Joliet Rd., Countryside. Those who wish to attend the interment following the service may proceed to St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Hodgkins. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in John’s name to Hope Lutheran Church. For additional information, call (708) 352-6500.