John Thomas Kuizinas' Obituary
After a year and 3 day battle with pancreatic cancer, John T. Kuizinas, 70, of Decatur, was born into eternity with his Lord and Savior, at 6:20 am Saturday, August 30, 2008, in the presence of his wife, in their home.
Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, September 3, 2008 in First Lutheran Church, Decatur. Visitation will be one hour prior in the church. Burial will be at 1:00 pm in Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield.
John was the youngest son born to George and Susie Norkus Kuizinas in Clinton, IN on May 7, 1938. He was educated in the Decatur public schools and graduated class of ’56. He went on to work at A.E. Staley Company for 37 years, retiring as the electrical maintenance foreman. He served in the US Air Force as field maintenance at Offutt SAC headquarters and was honorably discharged in 1963. He worked for and retired from I.B.E.W. Local 193 of Springfield in 2002. A man of many talents and interests, his life was full and varied. He was a member or past member of A.P.B.A., Moose, Prairieland Dance and Gold Wing Road Riders Association. Most people remember John riding his Honda’s. Others saw him in his hard hat working the grounds of Staley’s. Hobbies were numerous as well as his talents. He was very skilled and talented with his hands. Maintenance repair was his forte; woodworking was a talent he developed in his retirement years. Cooking and baking honed his tastes. Country western dance was good exercise, and a joy to do. As an avid reader, he had a great knowledge of the Civil War and history. Reading and television helped pass the time in his last year of illness. John was John, and very proud to be a veteran and a Lithuanian.
John married Jane Heien Rosenbeck in Champaign on August 2, 1985. She survives him, as well as his daughter, Amber Smith Charles Harber; sons John and Bill Ledbetter; stepdaughter Julie Randy Grindley; stepson Jeff Elizabeth Rosenbeck of Austin, TX; brother Walter Alice Kuizinas of Springfield; sister Martha Shinall of Champaign; grandchildren Ashlin fiancé Courtland Kuizinas, Jessica Andrew Carter, Benjamin Thomas Smith, Aylisia Smith, and Faith Smith, all of Texas; Travis and Ben Givens and Olivia and Joseph Grindley of Champaign; Presley and Cayden of Austin, TX; John’s first great grandchild, Carter Joseph Kuizinas, is expected January 2009; also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Bill, Edward “Tony”; infant George and infant sister Mildred.
A request of no flowers is made, according to John’s wishes. Memorials may be given to Macon County Honor Guard or St. John’s Hospice.
The family of John T. Kuizinas has entrusted care to Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe St, Decatur.
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