John E. Krause

John E Krause, 88, formerly of Western Springs, IL peacefully passed away on September 16, 2022 at Oak Trace in Downers Grove Illinois. He was born on August 2, 1934, in Oak Park Village IL to Fred and Dorothy (Hamer) Krause. John grew up in Maywood IL and graduated from Proviso East in 1952 where he played football and the tuba in the marching band. He attended Northern Illinois State College, was Vice President of his senior class, President of Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, four-year squad member of the junior varsity football team, worked for the Northern Star, and was a co-editor of the student handbook. He graduated in 1956 with a PE degree and then joined the US Army from 1956 to 1958. He married Marilyn Jean Mohr on June 20, 1959. He attended truck driving school in North Carolina and taught swimming and CPR for the Red Cross. He logged over 2.5 million miles driving a truck and earned multiple years of safe driving awards during his 42 years driving career. He worked for several oil companies, Signal Deliver, and Walgreens. He loved to drive a truck and continued that passion by participating in the IL Truck Rodeo for several years and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1982. Alongside driving he volunteered for over 39 years with the Western Springs Auxiliary Police Department and later their Explorer Post. He officially retired in 1999 where he continued at a more leisurely pace, spending time with family, camping at the South Wilmington Sportmen’s Club, growing vegetables in his garden, and attending ROMEO events.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of 63 years. His son, David, and his wife Lori. He loved being Grandpa to his 3 grandchildren Allyson, Ryan, and Morgan. One recurring event was taking part in the annual July 4th Western Springs Glory Days flag distribution where they placed US Flags in the parkway of homes in Western Springs. This was just one of the many fond memories created. He greatly enjoyed being Uncle John to his 7 nieces and nephews and being welcomed into Marlyn’s family (Erickson’s and Mehlan’s). He was preceded in death by his parents. His wish was that his family and friends remember all the fond memories shared by everyone who knew him.

There will be a private family burial at Mt Emblem cemetery in Elmhurst where he will be laid to rest with his parents.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Blake-LambFuneralHome.com for the Krause family.