John “Jack” W. Beckel, 95
John “Jack” W. Beckel, a resident of Elmhurst since 1964, passed away at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at the age of 95. Jack was born August 20, 1921, in San Francisco and grew up in Chicago. He joined the Illinois National Guard April 1, 1939, and was a proud WWII Army veteran of the 504th AAA Gun Battalion in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked at Motorola and retired from AT&T and was responsible for installing some of the first cell phone towers in the world. His favorite hobby was the ham radio.
Beloved husband for 52 years to Dorothy, nee Schmidt; loving father of John Beckel and Maria (Michael) Wachholz; dearest and proudest papa of Grace and Lena; fond brother of Ida and the late Dottie, Leona, and Jimmy; loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. Always happy with a smile on his face, he will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at Visitation Church, 779 S. York St., Elmhurst. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Funeral arrangements provided by Ahlgrim Funeral Home. For more information, call 630-834-3515 or visit ahlgrim.com.
Mary Jane Hopkins, 87
Mary Jane Hopkins nee Kennedy, a resident of Elmhurst for 65 years, passed away recently at the age of 87. Beloved wife of the late Richard Allen Hopkins; loving mother of Sharon (Kent) Jager and Robert (Susan) Hopkins; cherished grandmother of Heather (Alex) Alejandro, David (Amy) Jager, Nicole Ludena, Andrew (Naomi) Hopkins and Daniel Hopkins; proud great grandmother of Aiden Ludena, Katie and Sean Jager and Azlyn Hopkins. She was a first grade teacher at Jefferson School in Elmhurst for 23 years where she shared her love of travel and reading with her students. Her interests included travel, Bridge, golf, tennis and gardening. She was an Illinois Master Gardener. Mary Jane was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Memorial Services were held Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 125 W. Church St., Elmhurst. Private interment St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorials will be appreciated for the church. Arrangements by Ahlgrim Funeral Home. For more information, call 630-834-3515 or visit ahlgrim.com.
