John Alton Kise, Jr., 55

John Alton Kise, Jr. passed away on Aug 10, 2024. He was born on April 2, 1969 in Hinsdale, Illinois to John (Jack) A. Kise, Sr. and Karen A. Kise and was the youngest of three children with two older sisters Elizabeth and Mearl. He was raised in Woodstock where he resided most of his life. He was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in Blue Island, Illinois. He was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock. As a child he liked to ride his motorcycle around the old farm fields near the Todd Woods area of Woodstock. He was also active in Boy Scouts and loved camping. He learned to play the guitar with Eunice Mast. He attended Woodstock Schools and graduated from Elgin Academy in 1988.

He attended the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma where he graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Soon after college, he married his now former spouse and began work at Paragon Industries in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. At Paragon, he was instrumental in designing and patenting parts for a large steel pipe mill. In 1995, he moved back to Woodstock and began work at Switzer Products in Richmond where he led the engineering, manufacturing, and installation of fiberglass buildings for use in the utility industry. During this time, he also celebrated the birth of his two children Julia R. Kise and Jonathan E. Kise who were the joy of his life.

He put his engineering skills to work for his children designing and building their baby crib and creating elaborate Halloween costumes for them every year. A brilliant engineer with a passion for hands-on applications of his skills, he bought R & B Metal Products in 2001 where he did stainless steel fabrication in Woodstock for many years. In 2023, he became the director of engineering at A & A Magnetics in Woodstock.

He had multiple hobbies throughout his life. He enjoyed fishing, four-wheel riding, and listening to live music. He also enjoyed playing pool with his friends and was nicknamed ‘Ice’ for being very calm while playing. He loved seeing 80’s rock bands in person and would always try to attend the concerts when they came to the area. A fan of former President Ronald Reagan, he collected Reagan memorabilia. He loved wearing colorful clothing, always making sure that his shirts, ties and socks were matching. And he was known for his kindness, always lending a helping hand to family, friends, and strangers in need.

He was beloved as a father, son, brother, nephew, and friend to many. He is survived by his parents, Jack and Karen, children, Julia and Jonathan, sisters, Elizabeth Kise and Mearl (Keith) A. Kise-Halsall, nieces, Isabelle and Haley Halsall, his aunt, Susan (Sue) and uncle, Robert (Bob) E. Freese, his aunt, Monica Kise and cherished pug Georgia.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Mearl A. and Julia B. Kise, maternal grandmother Ruth C. Freese, his Uncle Peter E. Kise and beloved cat Brenda.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the Schneider Leucht Merwin Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock from 10:00 am until the 12:00 pm Memorial Service. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 401 St. John’s Road, Woodstock, IL, 60098 or Helping Paws Animal Shelter, 2500 Harding Lane Woodstock, IL 60098.