John David Dykhuizen, 87 of Milledgeville, IL, died Friday, July 27, 2018, at Resthave Home in Morrison, IL.
John was born in Morrison to William and Elena (VanWieren) Dykhuizen, on February 21, 1931. He married Alberta Ann Smith in Fulton, IL, on September 25, 1953, who survives. A graduate of Morrison High School in 1951, he was the first member of his family of nine to attend and graduate from college. John graduated from Northern Illinois State Teachers’ College (now NIU) in DeKalb, IL, in June 1955 with a B. S. Degree in Education and an M. S Degree in Vocational Education in June 1970.
In June 1986, he retired from teaching Industrial Education for 31 years at the Milledgeville Unit District #312 (now Chadwick-Milledgeville), grades 7-12, and Sauk Valley Community College adult night classes for 16 years. He was a self-employed painter in the summers. He later worked four years after school and four full-time summers building the Milledgeville Park District from its inception. He played football and basketball in Morrison High School and was an avid fisherman and hunter. John enjoyed raising his own red raspberries during his retirement years.
He was a member of the Milledgeville United Methodist Church, having served on various committees, as well as a member of the State of Illinois Retired Teachers, the Carroll County Retired Teachers, I.E.A. and Lions Club.
John and Alberta raised three sons, David (Karen) of Rockford, IL, Ronald (Colleen) of Lakewood, CO, and Darrell (Cheryl) of Madison, WI, who passed away in 2012. Also surviving are his daughter-in-law, Cheryl (Lee) Graves of Sun Prairie, WI.; six grandchildren, Michael (Arin) of Rockton, IL, Brianna and Jordan of Rockford, IL, Nicholas and Rachel of Madison, Melissa (fiancé Brent DeLaney); great-granddaughter, Hailee Edgar of Winnebago, IL; sister, Dorothy (Mike) Conklen of Cedar Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Audrey of Sterling, IL; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William (in infancy), Alvin “Bud” (Dorothy), Edward (Lola), and George (Audrey); sisters, Marian (Ellsworth) Nice, Wilma (Robert) Tucker, and Ruth (Al) Westendorf; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, August 3, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Milledgeville United Methodist Church and Saturday, August 4, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Milledgeville United Methodist Church, with Reverend Sophia Hyon.
Luncheon will follow the service.
Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
Special thanks to Lois and Nadine and Resthave Home.
Memorials may be made in his memory to Milledgeville UMC, Milledgeville Fire Department, and Resthave Home.