John J. Karnick Sr.

Raised on the west side of Chicago, he was the 4th of 8 children born to Mary and Charles Karnick. He attended Presentation grade school, St Ignatius College Prep (class of 1951) and graduated from Utah State University in 1955. He was an active participant in the classroom and athletics at St Ignatius, running track, playing basketball and leading the football team as their quarterback and captain. He was selected to the Catholic League All Star Team for football his senior year and later inducted into the St Ignatius sports Hall of Fame. After graduating from Utah State University, where he quarterbacked and captained the Aggies football team, he returned to his Chicago roots and married his hometown sweetheart, Patricia Naughton, in 1956. His career began in the building products industry and he would later launch Karnick Klay Products. He moved to Glen Ellyn with his wife in 1963 where they raised their seven children. He was a member of the St. Petronille Parish and School serving in many capacities over the past 55 years. He remained involved with the St Ignatius community throughout his life, helping to raise money to restore the athletic program, wrote for the alumni newsletter, and received the St Ignatius Alumni Medal Award in 1992 for his volunteer work with the school. He served in the Army and was a volunteer teacher and coach to hundreds of children and adults throughout his life. He refereed football and basketball games at the high school and college level well into his 60’s, and he was tapped for an acting role with a speaking part as a referee in the Hollywood hit “Lucas”. The movie was released in 1985 and largely filmed in Glen Ellyn. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Patricia (nee Naughton) 7 children and 13 grandchildren, Eileen Pohlman (John) - John (Liz) Joe, Will, Carolyn, Mary – Kevin (Pam) Emily - Patrick (Wendy) Madeleine, Matthew - Mary Doyle (Patrick) Meagan, Daniel, Colleen, Sean - Katie - Michael (Maggie) Jake, Shane. He is uncle to 34 and was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charlie, Tom, Kevin, sister Patricia, in-laws John and Ellen Naughton, brother-in-law’s Jack Naughton, Bob Shadduck Sr, John Neylon, Bill Sherlock, sister-in-law’s Mary Karnick, Joanne Neylon, niece Mary Claire Karnick and nephew Bill Sherlock Jr. Visitation Sunday April 15th 4:00 – 8:00 at Leonard’s Memorial in Glen Ellyn. Funeral mass 10:30 AM Monday April 16th at St Petronille Church in Glen Ellyn. In lieu of flowers donations can be made at https://www.youcaring.com/johnkarnicksr-1165216

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