John Serdar

John "Jack" Serdar, 76, of Zion, Illinois passed away on Tuesday October 2, 2012 at home. Jack was born on December 19, 1935 to Jack T. and Margaret Serdar in Waukegan, Illinois. He graduated from Waukegan High School and attended the University of Illinois at Champaign and Northern Illinois University. He is survived by his devoted wife Ruth nee Gilbertson of 55 years; loving children Cindy (Rick) Doering, Scott (Marla) Serdar, Bill (Barbara) Sterchi; adoring grandchildren Kelly, Dan (Shana) and Tyler Doering, Jonathan (Sara Rzepkowski), Robert and Sarah Serdar; his sisters Margaret (Larry) Zanco, MaryAnn Skof and Lorrie Aalund; his sister-in-law Naomi Friedrich; nieces and nephews Wayne (Karen), Greg (Paula) Friedrich, Sheree (Bill) Swaney, Mike (Kathryn Lafferty) and Pam Zanco, Bryan (Jackie), Bruce (Joann), Brad (Joann) Skof; Aunts Vi Anderson, Bernice Bittner, Ann McClosky; Uncles Bob (Delores) Serdar, Fred Berghorn; many cousins and grand nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers in laws, James Skof, Ken Aalund and Rodney Friedrich. Raising their family in Zion, Illinois at Grace Missionary Church, Jack served as an Awana Leader for many years and helped to restore cabins at Camp Awana in Fredona, Wisconsin. He loved following his grandsons play rugby at St. Louis University and football at the University of Iowa, Illinois State and UW-Whitewater and not a day went by that he did not ask about or talk to his granddaughters. An avid carpenter and woodworker, Jack built homes, furniture and cabinetry throughout northern Illinois including converting a barn into the Serdar home on LynnDale Drive. Jack served as a Benton Township Trustee for the past few years. A kind-hearted, humorous man filled with a sincere desire to honor God, love and serve his family, Jack and his beloved wife Ruth were members of a couples share group at their church. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Kenosha First Assembly Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Family will be receiving friends from 3:00 p.m. until the start of the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Kenosha First Assembly Church or the American Diabetes Association. The family wishes to sincerely thank the many doctors and nurses who tenderly cared for Jack from the Aurora Zion Clinic, Vista East Medical Center, Aurora St Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee.