John D. Born, age 88, of Coal City died March 9, 2010, at Morris Hospital. He was born May 24, 1921, in Coal City, the son of John B. and Theresa (Vacca) Born.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Betty (Ross) Born in 2002, his parents, brothers Raymond, Ervin, Donald, and Leroy, infant sister Rosemary, and sister-in-law Mrs. Donald (Jackie) Born.
Surviving are daughter, Janet (Bill) Spivey; son Douglas (Diane) Born; grandchildren David Holloway, Kristoffer Born, and Ashley (Travis) Cunningham; great-grandchildren Andrew, Tyler, and Alyssa Cunningham and Addison Born; sister-in-law Marian (Raymond) Born; brother- and sister-in-law Henry & Nancy (Ross) Lyons; several cousins, nieces & nephews; and special friend, Helen Dryer.
One of John's proud moments in life was being named to the 1939 All State Basketball Squad, ranking him one of the 30 top high school players in Illinois.
A combat infantry veteran of WWII, he participated in all five major Northern European campaigns and was awarded the Bronze Star with Cluster & Purple Heart and attained the rank of Sgt. Major of the 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division.
Following his marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Betty Ross, on Oct. 21, 1945, he returned to work at Atlas Wallpaper Mills in Coal City eventually becoming the company's General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer. He also served as an officer of Broadway Ford in Coal City and Mutual Wallpaper Co. of Louisville, KY.
Extremely supportive of education he worked with a group promoting consolidation of local schools, and, following a referendum the Coal City North & South Side, Carbon Hill, & Diamond schools became Community Consolidated District 80-C. Due in part to his effort, a 16-room building was constructed with gym & cafeteria and welcomed students in January 1955. John participated in the effort of Coal City Unit #1 becoming a reality. Mr. Born was chairman of the High School site selection committee for the current building constructed on West Division Street.
A member and deacon of New Hope Presbyterian Church, visitation for John Born will be held at Ferrari Funeral Services in Coal City (corner of spring Rd. and Ferrari Drive) from 4 – 8 p.m. on Friday, March 12th. Pre-service visitation will be at New Hope Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 13th from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 10 a.m. pastor Heidi Johnson will officiate, Burial will follow at Braceville-Gardner Cemetery. Online guest book at www.ferrarifuneral.com or phone (815) 634-4040 for information.
In lieu of flowers, memorials for John Born may be made to the New Hope Presbyterian Church of Coal City or the Unit #1 Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 177, Coal City, IL 60416