John R. Sorensen

John R. Sorensen, 70, of Woodstock, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018.

He was born in Woodstock, Illinois on December 29, 1947, to George and Geraldine Sorensen.  John graduated from Woodstock High School in 1966.  Shortly after, John enlisted in the Army for three years.  He was sent to Fort Belvoir, VA for engineer school, and spent the following year at Fort Bragg, NC.  John then served our country in Vietnam for 15 months.  Upon his return home, he devoted the rest of his life to helping his fellow veterans.  John was a charter member of Amvets Post 269; a life member/past commander/past chaplain of American Legion Post 412; a life member and two-time commander of VFW Post 5040; a life member and past president of the McHenry County Vietnow Chapter; and was a life member of DAV.  John also served as Committee Chairman of the Woodstock Memorial Day Parade, which he directed for eight years.  The American flags that decorate the Woodstock Square on patriotic holidays were initiated by him.

John worked for Eagle Foods for 31 years, and Sam’s Club for 13 years.  Civic engagements included being a board member and team manager for Little League for more than ten years.  John was also a member of 12 Woodstock residents called the “Woodstock Baseball Association,” which was responsible for building the “Dream Field” in City Park.  He served this association by raising money for the project. 

John married the love of his life Gail (Bartram) on May 12, 1972.  Together, they raised four “great” (his words) children.  He loved riding his Harley with his wife, trap shooting (as a member of the Woodstock and McHenry Sportsman Clubs), working on his home, and retirement with Gail. 

He is survived by Gail, his wife of 46 years; his children, Robert (Lisa) Sorensen, Chrissy (Bryan) Stotland, Karyn (Rob) Pourchot, and Toby (Becca) Sorensen; and his five grandsons, Will, Justin, Charlie, Jake, and Josh.  John was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock (1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road; 815-338-0554) on Thursday, April 26th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be private, for family only.  In lieu of flowers, John had requested memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

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