John Myers Eshelman

John Myers Eshelman, 94, formerly of Elgin, died October 21, 2016, in Wauwatosa, WI.

Born in Elgin, IL, October 15, 1922, to the late Glenn and Doris (nee Countryman) Eshelman, he was a 1940 graduate of Elgin High School and earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from Elgin Community College in 1973. As secretary of the college’s Board of Trustees, he had the unusual privilege of signing his own diploma.

He was preceded in death on January 11, 2015, by his companion, best friend and loving wife of 69 years, Mary Louise (Molly). Their seven children survive, Scott (Ann) of Rhinelander, WI; Mary (Jeff) Zehren of Fond du Lac,WI; Marc (Linda) of Burnsville, MN; Kurt (Wendy) of Elgin; Kay Hughes, Crystal, MN; Susan (Tom) Ela, Milwaukee, WI; and Jennifer, Oakland, CA. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his only sibling, Cecile K. Vlazny, in 2012.

A World War II veteran, John enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942.  His dream was to become a pilot, but his eyeglasses precluded this and instead was trained as a turbo supercharger specialist. He was stationed in Italy during the war.

John had three careers. He worked at the Elgin Daily Courier News from 1947-1962 ultimately becoming acting managing editor.  Following a desire to own and operate a business, he formed and grew a partnership with James Steffen at Fox Valley Typesetting.  And finally in 1968 John joined the First National Bank of Elgin, eventually accepting the roles of senior vice president and corporate secretary.

John was active in many community endeavors including a founding member of the Elgin Community College (ECC) Board and director of the ECC Foundation.  He is a recipient of ECC’s Distinguished Alumni Award as well as the Distinguished Friends of Education award.

Other civic contributions include serving as director of the Elgin Torpedoes, a semi-pro football team; Illinois Commissioner of Semi Pro baseball for the National Baseball Congress; and as founding director of the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, of which he was president for one term.

He was also a member of the Elgin Jaycees serving as its president; a founding director of the Elgin Mental Health Clinic; president of the Elders (now Senior Services of Elgin); director of the Well Child Clinic; a Junior Achievement advisor; editor and publisher of Modern Elgin 1965; and a guest lecturer at Northern Illinois University School of Journalism.

After retirement John and Molly enjoyed travelling to the small, out of the way places that captured their imaginations, spending a month in Settle, England, visiting New Zealand, Malta, Newfoundland and many other locales.

He also was able to live out his dream, successfully completing pilot ground school and joining his friend and neighbor, Bill Flaherty, hopscotching around the upper Midwest in Bill’s small plane with John occasionally taking the controls.

As a lifelong learner, John had an innate curiosity about him.  Two days before his demise he actively discussed Presidential politics as well as the Cubs’ chances.

John’s ashes will be co-mingled with those of his wife’s and inurnment will be private at Lakeview Lutheran Church Cemetery, Madison, WI.

In lieu of floral remembrances, his family requests that persons inclined to favor memorials consider directing them to the Elgin Community College Foundation, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL 60123