John M. Kerwin

John "Jack" (Papa) Kerwin, age 89, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, May 23, 2015 in Joliet, IL.

Jack was born in Joliet to Raymond and Dorothy (nee Iverson) Kerwin on December 21, 1925, and was raised by his father and grandmother Nettie after the untimely departure of his mother. He went to high school at Joliet Township and graduated in 1944. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school and was a survivor of Iwo Jima and a Purple Heart recipient. He worked as a machinist at Commonwealth Edison for over 35 years. Jack was a lifetime member of the Moran A.C., a member of the Senior Citizen's Association, and enjoyed golfing with the Medicare League, ushering at St. Mary Nativity Church and taking a stroll with his four-legged furry companion, Abby.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was also a devoted fan to his loving grandchildren's everyday endeavors. His Grandchildren were his life and fed his soul. His smile and humor will truly be missed.

Jack is preceded in death by the love of his life, Margaret (Petrilla) Kerwin; grandmother, Nettie Kerwin; parents, Raymond and Dorothy Kerwin; numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; and friends.

Survived by children, Karen (Dale) O'Connell, Robert Kerwin, Holly Kerwin and Mary Kay (Stephen) McGrath; nine grandchildren, Kelli (Tony) Giese; Casey, Katie and Kevin O'Connell; Jennifer (Bryan Kalina) and Stacey (Brandon Jordan) Kerwin; Mary Grace, Margaret and Sean McGrath; five great-grandchildren, Faith, Kobe and Darren Jordan; Samantha and Elizabeth Giese; brother-in-law, George (Helen) Petrilla; sisters-in-law, Barbara Pekar and Helen Graf; numerous nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the Presence St. Joseph Medical Center ICU nurses and doctors who so kindly cared for Jack in his final days.

Donations in memory of Jack Kerwin may be made to St. Mary Nativity Church in Joliet or Joliet Area Community Hospice.

A Celebration of John's life will begin on Friday, May 29, 2015 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:20 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 2-8 p.m.

Thursday, May 28, 2015
2:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Tezak Funeral Home
1211 Plainfield Road
Joliet, Illinois 60435

Friday, May 29, 2015
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Tezak Funeral Home
1211 Plainfield Road
Joliet, Illinois 60435

Prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:20 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial.

Friday, May 29, 2015
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church
707 N. Broadway Street
Joliet, ILL 60435

Friday, May 29, 2015
11:30 AM

St. Mary Nativity Cemetery
Caton Farm Road
Crest Hill, IL 60403