John Francis Flanagan

John Francis Flanagan,  79, Wonder Lake, died Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, surrounded by his family.

He was born Dec. 4, 1933, at the family farm in Dunmore County, Galway, Ireland, to Delia and Thomas Flanagan Sr.

His family left Ireland for New York when he was 14. His mother died 3-½ months after arrival. He graduated from Don Bosco Prep in New York and moved to Chicago with his father and brother.

On June 19, 1954, he married Winifred Jean in Chicago. In 1972, he and his family moved to Wonder Lake from the south side of Chicago. He was a plasterer for Pope Co., a member of the Pipe Fitters Union 597 and a member of Christ the King Church in Wonder Lake. 

He was a hard and talented worker and some his interests included the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Bears. He also liked Judge Judy and saving homeless cats.

Survivors include a daughter, Trish (Len); four sons, Jack, Mike (Cathy), Bryan and Will (Cindy); six grandchildren, Dale, Schaunna, Corey, Catilyn, Mariah and Ian; a brother-in-law, John Arena; a friend, Vince O’ Laughlin; and many family members and friends in Chicago, New York and Ireland.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret, Joannie and Annie; two brothers, Peter and Thomas; his wife, Aug. 22, 2010;  his parents; and a close friend, Stu Lorch.

Visitation was Nov. 2 at Colonial Funeral Home, McHenry. A prayer service and Mass celebration were Nov. 3 at Christ the King Church. Interment was at the church cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010, or St. Jude Children’s  Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.