John M Kuropatwa
July 02, 1930 - August 04, 2017
Obituary
APPLE RIVER, ILL.-John Marion Kuropatwa, age 87, of Apple River, Ill., and longtime resident of Apple Canyon Lake, passed away on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, at UW Hospital in Madison, Wis. He was born on July 2, 1930, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Jan and Virginia Kuropatwa. John graduated from Wells High School in Chicago. He was a chemist for Campbell Soup Company for 33 years. John enjoyed painting, gardening, traveling, astronomy, Chess, Mickey Mouse, photography, VW Beetles and classic cars. He loved spending time with his family, especially his most recent trip to Washington D.C. to visit the Smithsonian, and spending his winters in Harlingen, Texas. John is survived by his daughters, Gail Pusateri, Lynn Hailstone and Beth (Brian) Binder; grandchildren, Nicole (Phil) Deram, Ryan “Buddy”, Lisa and Natalie Pusateri, Rachel, Brooke and Luke Hailstone and Sam and Ben Binder; and great-grandchildren, Dylan and Mia Deram.He was preceded in death by his parents, Jan Kuropatwa and Virginia Klockowski; stepfather, Walter Klockowski; and his beloved beagle, Gracie. Private services will be held.
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Memories
JM
Janet Moote
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I met John 30 years ago after he completed his kit car, and he let me drive it. We talked astronomy, VW's, his artwork and his travels. Traveling ACL road past his house and knowing he has transitioned to a better place. Bless his heart.
TB
Tom Bergstrom
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Tom & Judy Bergstrom . On May 13th we were attending a wedding at Apple Canyon Lake and on the way home I said to my wife lets go by Johns house and see whats changed. He was one of my all-time favorite students at Highland Community College Autobody, rebuilding several vehicles while he was there and being a great peer to many young students. I thought John had passed after his stroke and not knowing how to get a hold of Beth, had assumed his house had been sold. You can imagine my surprise when we rode by his house and there he was sitting in his car looking just like he always looked, he never seemed to age. We had a wonderful couple of hours talking cars, school, art , family and anything else that came up. We promised to get together in the fall when life wasn't so busy. How sorry we are that he did pass but how lucky we all were to have known him. What an absolute character! Our sincere condolences to the whole family and especially Beth who we knew from visits to our farm in Warren to pet the horses many years ago.
JQ
James Quinn
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From Jackie and Jim Quinn,
John I miss you.From about 1975 to 2016.I visited you about 5 times per year.
It was always great fun. Together from 1960 at Campbell Soup Company until
our last visit in 2015 - 2016. Miss you John, Love you my best friend. Also
Yvonne and Family Send their love.