John W. Ancel

After braving an eight year battle with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, John William Ancel went to be with the Lord peacefully at the age of 58, on Monday, August 21, 2023. He was born on January 30, 1965. At the time of his birth, his parents John B. (d. 1980) and Marlene (d. 2015) were already proud parents of Karen (Patrick) Briscoe, Randy (Gabriella) Ancel, and Nancy (Michael) Mitok. Preceded in death by his cherished God Parents, Richard and Josephine Tezak.

John graduated from St. Joseph’s School, Joliet Catholic High School, and the then College of St. Francis. During his school years, John made many lifelong lasting friendships. Several of those friends were in his wedding and continued supporting him through his illness. Special thank you to, John Mihelich, John Konopek Jr., Paul Pluth, Ray Smith and so many others.

While growing up, he played baseball, basketball, and his truest love, football. Because he became an uncle at a young age, he treasured his 6 nieces and nephews: Michael (Michele) Briscoe, Jeffrey (Elizabeth) Ancel, Christine (Neil) Hodge, Kelley (Charles) Hill, Jamie (Dinah) Eskridge, and Zachary Mitok. He was loved by his 11 great nieces and nephews.

John married the love of his life, Jodi Tannenbaum, daughter of Gerald (d. 2000) and Sharon, in 1988. He gained 3 sisters and a brother by marrying Jodi: Susan (Patrick, d. 2019) O’Connell, Douglas (Yocelin Zavala), Angela (Larry, d. 2005) McKay, and Staci (Greg) Geistler. He is survived by 9 nieces and nephews on that side of the family.

The greatest blessings in life were their children John J. and Jake (Victoria) Ancel. John enjoyed coaching baseball, basketball, and football, befriending so many more children and their parents. John built many positive relationships during his 28 year career at Allstate Insurance.

In 2015, at the age of 50, John was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. He and Jodi decided to make the most out of every day and completed everything they had ever wanted to do in life including becoming grandparents to the sweetest children, William Blaise and Josephine Rose Ancel.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name to Walk to End Alzheimer’s (link accessible on John’s tribute wall at Tezakfuneralhome.com) or to St. Joseph Church in Joliet.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023 with a memorial visitation at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The family invites relatives and friends to join them for a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Church in Joliet on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be held privately at St. Joseph Cemetery in Joliet.

Walk to End Alzheimer's link: https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=16867&pg=personal&px=21279639