John “Jack: Stoudt, long-time resident of Morrison, IL, passed away late in the evening of his 84th birthday, Sunday, July 2, 2017, at Seven Lakes Memory Care, Loveland, CO. He died of complications of Lewy Body Dementia.
John George Stoudt was born July 2, 1933, in Erie, IL, to Paul and Ethelyn Miller Stoudt. He spent his early years in Erie, surrounded by many extended family members. He went to the Erie schools (Class of 1951) participating in singing and sports (football, basketball, and track) and developing lifelong friends. After his sophomore year of college, he joined the Army and was sent to Fort Ord, CA. He became a Drill Sergeant; seeing others use humor in their teaching prompted him to consider the teaching profession. After completing his Bachelor’s degree at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, MO, he taught math and physics from 1959 to 1966 at Morrison High School. He loved teaching and during that time built a student-run f.m. radio station in the high school. In 1966, he became a consultant and manager for the Illinois State Board of Education. He worked for them until 1991. He received his Masters degree in Education from Georgia State. Later he worked for Illinois Regional Offices of Education in Sterling, Annawan, and Rock Island., IL
Jack married Penelope “Penny” Rosalie Hill at the United Methodist Church in Centerville, IA, on March 23, 1957, at two o’clock. They raised three children: Elizabeth, Jenny, and David. The family enjoyed many road trips, visiting wonderful places in the U. S. He documented family life with a myriad of slides, which provoked much laughter over the years! He enjoyed family get-togethers, especially times with the grandkids.
Jack was a life-long learner and loved participating in civic groups. His activities and interests included ham radio (he made the Century Club three times), Ham Radio Club President, jazz music, being a radio announcer for jazz shows (in Kirksville, MO, and at station KROS in Clinton, IA), softball, basketball, computers, community theater, City Council, Friends of the Parks (helped start the bike path to Rockwood), President of the Boosters, served on juries, VFW, birding, and German. He taught himself how to sail. He, Penny, and David were in sailboat races on the Mississippi Rivewr. He took up biking later in life, winning first place at 70 for the 65+ age category on a 50-mile ride! He and Penny traveled abroad twice and enjoyed trips within the continental U. S.
He is greatly loved by his family. We will miss his sly humor, intellect, and kind and gentle soul. We appreciate his many years of hard work to provide for our family.
Jack is survived by his wife of 60 years, Penny, of Morrison; three children, Elizabeth (Paul) LoBello of Loveland; Jen Stoudt of Loveland, David John Stoudt of Boulder, CO; four grandchildren in whom he delighted and adored, Brianna LoBello, Dominic LoBello, Violet Stoudt, and Lila Grayce Stoudt; forever daughter-in-law, Heather Carr (Stoudt) of Boulder; loving sister, Gloria (Jim) Coryn of Moline, IL; nieces and nephews, Debbie (Jeff) Schuett, Lynn Reeh, Mike Foley, and John Foley; supportive brother-in-law and wife, Dr. Thomas (Paula Rehahn) Hill of Cedar Falls, IA; aunt, Maxine Miller Bennett.
In his own words: “I recall thoughts, as a teenager, about what a life should be about. I couldn’t then or now put it into words–but it might be as simple as this. To have my wife say I was a really good and loving husband, my kids to say I was a really good father, my grandchildren to say I was a really good grandpa, my students to say I was a really good teacher, my many colleagues to say I was creative and a good leader, and my other friends to say I was a really good guy. I tried to be that.”
He succeeded!
Jack’s desire was to donate his body to science. A memorial service/celebration of his life will be held in Morrison, on a date to be determined.