Obituary of John Van Dien

John Karl Van Dien, 72, of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois passed from this life to join our Heavenly Father, on December 17, 2013. Preceded in death by his little brother Gordon Brooks Van Dien III, parents, Gordon B. and Della M. Van Dien, and Grandson Matthew Elliott, John leaves his high school sweetheart and wife of 50 years, Judy (Stried) Van Dien, their two children, John Karl (Kathleen) Van Dien, and Johnette Van Dien, Grandchildren Johnna-Marie Van Dien, Madisyn Van Dien, Patricia (Daniel) Sarenac, Andrew Elliott, Ryan Elliott, and Great-Granddaughter Ariana Sarenac in grief. Also missing him terribly are his brother James (Barbara) Van Dien, their children Michael (Laura) Van Dien, and Maribeth Van Dien, as well as countless cousins, friends and neighbors. A dedicated police officer of thirty years, John served his hometown of North Chicago, retiring in 1994 as a Master Sergeant. Many of the "Rookies" he trained later became Police Command Staff throughout Lake County. In addition to numerous awards and commendations, for high profile convictions, John received a Military Order Purple Heart after being stabbed in the line of duty in 1969. He was North Chicago Chamber of Commerce "Officer of the Year" - 1985. John was a Director on the Illinois Police Pension Fund Association, and served many years on the North Chicago Police Pension Board. He was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Illinois Police Benevolent, and the Illinois Police Association. John an All-Star Athlete and Graduate of North Chicago Community High School attended Illinois State University where he played Redbird Football. After playing semi-pro football for the Lake County Rifles, he tried out for the Chicago Bears in the late 60's. "Big John" fed his football appetite, for the rest of his life following his beloved Chicago Bears. Visitation will be Sunday, December 22, 2013 at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Services will begin at Congdon Funeral Home on Monday, December 23, 2013 at 8:30 a.m., going to Church of St. Patrick, 15000 Wadsworth Rd., for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion, IL.