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Name: John Curdes Lillich
Spouse: Rose Marie Hockemeyer Lillich
Address
DECEASED 2022,
Phone Number
Email Address
Personal Website

Class of

1959 Attended from through

Graduated Here?

Yes   

If graduated elsewhere, graduated from:

College Attended:

Purdue University
     
Birthdate: February 1, 1941   
Date of Death: July 15, 2022  
       

Current Occupation:

 

Notes:

John Curdes Lillich (81) was born on February 1, 1941 in Columbia City, Indiana and died at Symphony Assisted Living in Stuart, Florida on July 15, 2022 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

John leaves his beloved wife, Rose (Hockemeyer) Lillich, just a month shy of what would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. Left to keep his memory alive are his wife, daughter Jody Lillich Hughes (Kevin), son John David Lillich (Traci) and five grandsons; Ian Silver, Jacob Hughes, Kevin, Cooper, Cole and granddaughter Faith Lillich. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Kylee Rose Lillich, his parents, John E and Virginia (Curdes) Lillich, his in laws Theodore and Evelyn (Nichols) Hockemeyer and many many close friends.

An only child, born to parents who were considered quite mature for the time, he was the consummate over-achiever in everything he did. John grew up in Columbia City, Indiana where he played multiple sports and worked with his father who was a general contractor. He loved to tell stories about his experiences working with his father although many were quite colorful and not appropriate for an obituary.

In high school, he was class president for several years, played varsity basketball and it is there he met his beautiful Rose. They met in Chemistry class in 1957 when John was a sophomore and Rose was a junior. They dated through high school and while John attended college at Purdue University to study Chemical Engineering. John and Rose married in 1962 when John was a senior in college and Rose was working as a nurse in West Lafayette to support them financially. They lived in married-student housing throughout his MBA at Krannert School of Management. He often spoke of how fun this time was in their early marriage- the “macaroni and hamburger” days when they lived on a “shoe string” budget.

After graduating with his MBA in 1964, John fielded offers from numerous large chemical companies but chose to work for the Dow Chemical Company in Midland Michigan. John worked in many areas during his 31 year career; initially in plastics, later in agricultural chemicals and finally in Investor relations reporting directly to the Board of Directors. John’s work at Dow provided numerous opportunities to travel with his promotions and job changes. He and Rose initially moved [to] Plaquemines Parish Louisiana and that is where they started their family in 1965. During his career, the family lived in Midland, Michigan, Hong Kong, Yokohama, Japan and Miami, Florida and enjoyed world travel together.

John retired from Dow Chemical in 1995. He and Rose had designed and built a Lindal Cedar home on Grand Traverse Bay in Michigan. This house was truly a passion project for him and he thoroughly enjoyed designing every detail. After retiring, John and Rose became “snowbirds” and traveled back and forth between Michigan in the summer and Florida in the winter until 2005 when Florida became their full time residence. They lived in several locations around the area and had only very recently moved into Symphony Assisted Living when he was diagnosed with cancer. Although there only a short time, he did seem to enjoy living there and riding around on his electric chair trying not to run into things.

John was wicked smart. He had a great sense of humor. He loved travel, “chic flicks” or action movies, ethnic food, studying and teaching the Bible, design projects, Big Ten sports (specifically Purdue sports) and his family…John was a very generous father and “Papa” to his family. He loved planning big trips like the United Kingdom, Italy, Costa Rica and Belize (to name just a few). John set an excellent role model of Christian stewardship, compassion and commitment to his family and he will be truly missed. He has left an indelible mark by his true love and commitment. We are so thankful that he did not suffer and he left this earth with Rose present very peacefully. We take comfort in knowing that we will see him again!

Services for Mr. John Lillich will be held Saturday, July 23rd at 11AM at Palm City Presbyterian Church, 2700 SW Martin Hwy, Palm City, FL 34990.

In lieu of any flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charities: Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Wounded Warriors and St. Jude Hospital.
 
Last Updated: 07-23-2022 Alumni ID: 13381
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