John D. “Jack” Unzicker PhD., 73, of Springfield, passed away Sunday February 12, 2012, at Memorial Medical Center.
Jack was born in Harvey, IL, on May 8, 1938, the son of John R. and Phyllis Lomax Unzicker. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Barbara Nicks.
Jack is survived by his wife Sherryl Ann Unger. He also is survived by his son, Timothy J. (wife Karri Christiansen) Unzicker of Naperville, IL; a step-son, John F. (wife Lori) Unger of Pagosa Springs, CO; a step-granddaughter, Savannah Unger; a step-daughter, Heather (husband Frank) Willenborg of Springfield; a step-son, James W. (wife Mindy) Unger of Lubbock, TX; 2 step-grandsons, Christopher James Unger and James W. Unger Jr.; a step-daughter, Shannon M. (husband Craig) Garrett of Springfield; a step-granddaughter, Chalen Garrett; his brother, Donald Unzicker of Venice, CA.; and previous wife Carol [Vandenberg] Bond, mother of Timothy J. Unzicker.
Jack earned his Associate Degree in 1960 from Thornton Junior College in Harvey, IL. He earned a BS in Zoology in 1962, an MS in Entomology in 1963, and a PhD in Entomology in 1966, all from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2004, Jack was inducted into the Bremen High School Hall of Fame.
Jack worked in various capacities at the Illinois Natural History Survey in Champaign, IL, from 1960 to 1986. During that time, he authored 34 scientific articles and three books in the field of Entomology. He later worked as a sales associate for Biomet, Inc., in Warsaw, IN, as a campaign coordinator for State Rep. Helen Satterthwaite (103rd District), and as a semi-tractor trailer operator for J & R Schugel of Urbana, IL.
From 1987 to present, Jack worked with the Illinois General Assembly. Initially employed as a rules analyst for the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, he later joined the Office of the Speaker as a House of Representatives Democratic Staff research analyst specializing in environmental and public utility legislation and policy.
Jack had a life-long passion for research, whether scouring fields and streams for insects, analyzing a complex piece of legislation, or searching flea markets and the Internet for family collectibles. Jack took great pride in his work ethic and thrived on mentoring others. Jack cherished the time he spent with his family and took an interest in their hobbies and activities. Jack enjoyed writing in his spare time and participated in community theater when he was younger. Jack also was a member of First Christian Church in Springfield.
Services for John D. Unzicker are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West and will be private. Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Memorial Home Services, 720 N. Bond, Springfield, IL 62702, phone 217-788-4663.
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