Obituary for John Howard Deegan
John Deegan passed away peacefully, at his home in Oak Harbor, Washington on August 15, 2022.
He was born August 17, 1950, in Lyons, Illinois. He was the sixth of seven children by Howard John and Betty Agnes Deegan, He was preceded in death by his brother Bob, brother Patrick, and sister Betty. He is survived by his sister Jeanne Bellezzo in San Diego, sister Joanne Jehlik Johnson in Chicago, and brother Dennis Deegan in Cleveland. He is also survived by his nephews, Peter Deegan, Paul, Deegan, Bob Deegan, Jr., Steve Deegan, Stan Pieta, Jr., Don Pieta, Daryl Pieta, Bob Pieta, Jim Pieta and Steve Pieta, Michael Jehlik, Joe Bellezzo Jr., and Nieces Jonelle Okumura, Susan Jehlik, and Jill Whitworth.
John grew up in Lyons, Illinois, west of Chicago. He attended Costello elementary school, St. Joseph Academy, Morton West High School, and Morton Jr. College. As a child he loved decorating the large porch at home with Christmas lights. He loved sliding down the snow hills in Riverside Illinois, making snow men and snow forts, and seeing the beautiful Christmas trees at the altar of St. Hugh’s Church decorated with deep blue lights. He enjoyed walking to the Lyons theatre on Joliet Avenue and going to the Cermak Park Pool in the summertime. As a young adult he worked at Sno-Flake Drive in, in Lyons and had strong memories of working with the public and learning about running a business.
In Jr. College he was on the wrestling team and led the team to many victories. As an adult he often helped his former Catholic teachers keep their computers in good working order. Those Catholic school teachers were fond of John and even joined him for a day trip to Holy Hill Wisconsin, a Catholic Shrine and Retreat Center, located on the highest hill in Wisconsin.
John loved to spend time with his late Aunt Jean, and Uncles Tony, and Rudy. John’s favorite meal with Uncle Tony was his signature breaded pork chops and potatoes with a heavy sprinkling of Lawry’s seasoned salt. Upon graduation from High School John’s brothers threw him a big party -- but the amazing surprise that night was a gift of a fire engine deep red MG car from his brother-in-law, the late Joe Jehlik.
John loved music and while in high school worked as equipment manager for Jim Peterik, the lead singer of the Ides of March who sang and performed many popular hits including “Vehicle”. John kept his friendship with Jim Peterik all his life. John worked for Billboard Magazine as a writer and Columbia Pictures as a computer specialist, while living in California. He loved beautiful music of all types, especially classical opera. John played acoustic guitar and had a strong affinity for Simon and Garfunkle’s music.
John loved cooking and learning about cuisine. He became a great gardener and graced his homes and yards with flowers of all colors, especially roses. He loved to share flower pictures with family and friends. John was like a father to Danny Henn, who emigrated to America from Thailand. Danny returned the favor by remodeling three of Johns houses: the old homestead in Lyons, Illinois, his home in Carlsbad, California, and his home in Coupeville, on Whidbey Island. Danny Henn is an expert craftsman and made John proud of all the places he called home.
In recent years John shared that he had at last, found real peace, amidst the beauty of Whidbey Island. John often shared photos of his Ocean view-- with eagles in the trees, beautiful sunsets, and Orcas swimming in full view from his yard. May John rest in peace.
He was born August 17, 1950, in Lyons, Illinois. He was the sixth of seven children by Howard John and Betty Agnes Deegan, He was preceded in death by his brother Bob, brother Patrick, and sister Betty. He is survived by his sister Jeanne Bellezzo in San Diego, sister Joanne Jehlik Johnson in Chicago, and brother Dennis Deegan in Cleveland. He is also survived by his nephews, Peter Deegan, Paul, Deegan, Bob Deegan, Jr., Steve Deegan, Stan Pieta, Jr., Don Pieta, Daryl Pieta, Bob Pieta, Jim Pieta and Steve Pieta, Michael Jehlik, Joe Bellezzo Jr., and Nieces Jonelle Okumura, Susan Jehlik, and Jill Whitworth.
John grew up in Lyons, Illinois, west of Chicago. He attended Costello elementary school, St. Joseph Academy, Morton West High School, and Morton Jr. College. As a child he loved decorating the large porch at home with Christmas lights. He loved sliding down the snow hills in Riverside Illinois, making snow men and snow forts, and seeing the beautiful Christmas trees at the altar of St. Hugh’s Church decorated with deep blue lights. He enjoyed walking to the Lyons theatre on Joliet Avenue and going to the Cermak Park Pool in the summertime. As a young adult he worked at Sno-Flake Drive in, in Lyons and had strong memories of working with the public and learning about running a business.
In Jr. College he was on the wrestling team and led the team to many victories. As an adult he often helped his former Catholic teachers keep their computers in good working order. Those Catholic school teachers were fond of John and even joined him for a day trip to Holy Hill Wisconsin, a Catholic Shrine and Retreat Center, located on the highest hill in Wisconsin.
John loved to spend time with his late Aunt Jean, and Uncles Tony, and Rudy. John’s favorite meal with Uncle Tony was his signature breaded pork chops and potatoes with a heavy sprinkling of Lawry’s seasoned salt. Upon graduation from High School John’s brothers threw him a big party -- but the amazing surprise that night was a gift of a fire engine deep red MG car from his brother-in-law, the late Joe Jehlik.
John loved music and while in high school worked as equipment manager for Jim Peterik, the lead singer of the Ides of March who sang and performed many popular hits including “Vehicle”. John kept his friendship with Jim Peterik all his life. John worked for Billboard Magazine as a writer and Columbia Pictures as a computer specialist, while living in California. He loved beautiful music of all types, especially classical opera. John played acoustic guitar and had a strong affinity for Simon and Garfunkle’s music.
John loved cooking and learning about cuisine. He became a great gardener and graced his homes and yards with flowers of all colors, especially roses. He loved to share flower pictures with family and friends. John was like a father to Danny Henn, who emigrated to America from Thailand. Danny returned the favor by remodeling three of Johns houses: the old homestead in Lyons, Illinois, his home in Carlsbad, California, and his home in Coupeville, on Whidbey Island. Danny Henn is an expert craftsman and made John proud of all the places he called home.
In recent years John shared that he had at last, found real peace, amidst the beauty of Whidbey Island. John often shared photos of his Ocean view-- with eagles in the trees, beautiful sunsets, and Orcas swimming in full view from his yard. May John rest in peace.