John M. Zdenek, 81, of Riverside, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly in Dayton, Ohio on April 17, 2022, while visiting family.
He was born March 19, 1941, to James G. and Vera Zdenek.
In 1962, John and Sue met on a blind date while he was attending Rose Hulman Technical Institute in Terre Haute and Sue was attending Indiana State University, also in Terre Haute. John graduated in 1964 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Sue with a teaching degree in Special Education that same year. They married in 1965 and the rest is history.
John and Sue were married over 56 years. In that time they traveled extensively with their family (including his parents) to many of the states in the U.S. In later years they traveled by car, boat and train visiting more than 40 states as well as Canada and to numerous countries throughout the UK and Western Europe.
John also enjoyed working with both sons in Boy-Scouting and boating on Fox Lake in northern Illinois/Wisconsin border where they owned lakefront property. Many trips involved backcountry canoeing in Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, as well as hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountains.
John was an avid lifelong electrical engineer working with several companies. He was an accomplished TV design and telecommunications specialist. In his home neighborhood, he became known as Mr. Fix-It.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Sue (Gentry), formerly of Rockport; his sons, Jerrold of Deer Park, Ilinois and Jeffrey (Amy); grandchildren, Alice Jane and Miles Geoffrey, all of Centerville, Ohio, sister-in-law, Sharon (Gentry) Anderson (Terry); niece, Tammi Anderson; and great-nephew, Triston Stinnett of Rockport.
He was preceded in death by his parents and dear brother, James, as well as a nephew, Drew G. Anderson of Rockport.
Memorials to a charity of your choice are appreciated. Services were held at Conboy Westchester Funeral Home on April 25.
