Jack Eugene FohnBorn: September 13, 1916 Died: October 8, 2016Jack Eugene Fohn, former Vice President of Aurora Steel Products, passed away at the age of 100, at Greenfields of Geneva Retirement Community on October 8, 2016, surrounded by his family. Jack was born on September 13, 1916 in Montgomery, Illinois. His family moved to Joliet when he was 5, but five years later they returned to Aurora, where Jack would reside for most of his adult life.Jack graduated from West Aurora High School in 1935. He married his high school sweetheart, Dona Mae Schubbe in 1940. They were devoted to each other for 52 years until she passed away in 1992. Jack served as a Sergeant in the Army, coordinating troop movements in the European Theater during
World War II.He earned his bachelor's degree in Business Management at Aurora College and worked for 33 years at Aurora Steel Products, obtaining 5 patents for QuikLok brand shelving and steel lockers. Following his retirement in 1979, he lived in Tempe, Arizona for three years, then returned to Illinois to be closer to his family. Jack was an accomplished yet humble artist, and proficient in many mediums. He carved objects from wood and created Native American Jewelry. He sketched in charcoal and pastels, and drew everything from portraits and technical drawings to cartoons. He also created many beautiful paintings in watercolor, oil, and acrylic. Jack truly enjoyed his involvement with his grandchildren and always expressed interest in and encouragement to them, attending many of their school and sporting events. He was always a kid at heart, joining in camping, Family Vacations, Pumpkin Carving, Easter Egg Dying and decorating Christmas Cookies. His kindness, sense of humor, jokes, and smile will be sorely missed. He is survived by his two children, Jacqueline Herwig and Steven (Margaret) Fohn; five grandchildren, Max C. Herwig Jr. (Alex Sperfeld), Robin (David) Fisher, Katherine (Bryan) Cobb, Daniel Fohn, and Emily Fohn; and three great grandchildren, Grace, Lily and Jack Fisher.He is preceded in death by his parents, Adolf and Blanche (Newhouse) Fohn; his wife, Dona Mae (Schubbe) Fohn; and his son-in-law, Max C. Herwig.The family wishes to thank Greenfields of Geneva and Ardent Care Health Group for their help in celebrating his 100th birthday and their excellent care during his recent illness.A private service, with military honors, will take place at Spring Lake Cemetery in Aurora, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jack Fohn to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (
https://giving.mskcc.org/ways-give), 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Arrangements are being handled by The Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Pl., Aurora. For further information, please call 630-897-9291 or visit our website at
www.healychapel.com to leave an online condolence.
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