John Joseph Hovorka

John Joseph Hovorka, age 97, of Mt. Carroll, IL, passed away on April 8, 2024 at Allure Nursing Home. A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Carroll, at 11 a.m. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the church, before the service. A burial will follow at Lower York Cemetery, in Thomson, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ski Broncs Water Ski Show Team (featuring two of John’s granddaughters), based in Loves Park, IL.

John was born July 18, 1926, in Quincy Township, WI, to Frank and Rose (Lev) Hovorka, as the youngest of 13 children. John moved to Chicago with his parents in his teens and later to Mt. Carroll to farm. He married Juanita Rodenburg on June 7, 1946, and had two daughters, Gwen and Chris. John farmed for Tom Fritz until 1965 when he moved to town and went to work as a night watchman at Shimer College. He would later work at different factories in the Mt. Carrol area until retirement.

In September of 1977, John married Joyce Hook. They spent 32 years together, before her passing in 2009. John kept busy in retirement, cutting trees and mowing lawns and antiquing with Joyce. In July of 2016, John married Lucille Rice.

John was always finding ways to enjoy life to the fullest. He loved playing cards with friends, his nephew Bob Mueller and Jenny Mueller, cheering on his Chicago Cubs, hunting and bowling, and in his younger years, softball. He was known for his loud laugh and his love of singing. He could regularly be found at local open mic nights singing, dancing, and maybe even letting out a yodel or two.

As he entered into his twilight years he found new roles, first as a grandpa, and then as “Papa John” to his great grandchildren. He attended as many games and events as he could, and even as his health started to deteriorate, he made a point of staying current with all his great-grandchildren’s sports and activities.

John will be dearly missed by his beloved family. He is survived by two daughters, Gwen (Daryld) Gahm and Chris (Charlie) Mason, both of Mt. Carroll; grandchildren, Shanna Bess, Tel (Laura) Fehlhafer, Ashlynn (Joe) Roman, Tyrel (Jeanette) Fehlhafer, and Theron Mason; numerous great-grandchildren; wife, Lucille Rice, of Coleta, IL; step-daughter, Joan (Wayne) Brooks, of Mt. Carroll; step-grandson, Wesley (Kelly) Brooks; and many nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Rose; second wife, Joyce; and 12 siblings.