John W. Fahs Jr., 88, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at his home in Peotone. Born on July 7, 1936, in Kankakee, he was the son of John Sr. and Sophie (Parasinski) Fahs. John grew up in Peotone and graduated from Peotone High School with the Class of 1954. His class just recently held their 70th reunion.
John proudly served his country by enlisting in the Army Reserves, serving from 1959 to 1965. While in the reserves, John was given the job of chauffeuring the Battalion Commander because the Battalion Commander liked John’s car.
After high school, John worked for one year at Cardox in Monee before being hired at Bennett Industries in Peotone. He started in the Structural Steel Division, overseeing the making of bridge beams for the Interstate Highway System. Eventually, John transferred into the Plastics Division where he was in charge of perfecting the “recipe” for Bennett Plastic Buckets. John was very proud of his time at Bennett Industries, but even more proud he personally answered directly to Mr. Bennett.
John loved the outdoors and owned several speed boats, taught countless people how to water ski, gave numerous boat rides, and made many boating excursions to Wisconsin and Missouri. In the winter, John traded in his boat for a snowmobile and went all around the Peotone countryside with his buddies. John also loved racing, making numerous trips to the Indy 500 and, in later years, to the Chicagoland Motor Speedway.
In his later years, John found his true passion – antique tractors and tractor drives. He proudly went on all the Heritage Tractor Adventures and countless other tractor drives, whether local or across Illinois and Indiana. John also loved to cut grass, drive around, visit the Monee Reservoir, visit friends and, when all else failed, stop for strawberry ice cream or cherry pie (or both!)
He was a proud member of the Will County Threshermen’s Association, Central Illinois Green Club, Slow Boys, Will County Farm Bureau, Peotone FFA Alumni, Peotone American Legion Post 392, and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. John was most proud of having lived all 88 years on his Peotone farm that was started by his grandfather, Cornelius Fahs.
John is survived by his cousin, Marie (Krapf) Sallee, and friends too numerous to count. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Sophie; and four cousins.
Finally, John was very fortunate to have four wonderful caregivers: Tracy, June, Judy, and Desiree. Their constant devotion to John made it possible for him to remain in his home.
A visitation will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church on Monday, March 17, from 9 to 11 a.m., immediately followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated at 11 a.m., with Father Thomas Milota officiating. Interment and military honors will follow at Peotone Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Peotone Cemetery Association. Share a memory at www.feddehelfrichcrossfh.com.