John Ward Lax

John Ward Lax, 89, of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away January 30, 2022.  John was born to parents, John (Jack) and Adria (nee Woodyard) Lax, on February 15, 1932, in Alexander Township, Ohio. 

John grew up in Athens County, Ohio and was surprised by a great aunt upon his high school graduation with the gift of his first year of college tuition.  This life changing event opened the door to John attending Ohio University where he was a member of the ROTC Pershing Rifles Corps as well as the president of his fraternity, Sigma Nu.  Upon graduation, John served in an Army medical unit in Korea.

John spent most of his working life in sales for various publishing companies.  He had many stories to tell about visiting professors and deans at college campuses in the Midwest/Southwest with a trunk full of text book samples. Many of his closest lifetime friends were colleagues from these years.

John met Joan Josephson in Chicago on a blind date.  They were soon married and were together for more than 58 years, bringing up two children while living in Chicago (IL), Columbus (OH), Tempe (AZ), and St. Charles (IL).   

John became a very proud grandparent of three grandchildren starting in 2000.  Papa, as he was known to his grandkids, was always the first visitor to the hospital to hold each of his newborn grandchildren.  He enjoyed watching them grow up - attending sports and theatre events as well as birthday parties and graduations.  

John was a lifelong artist, an avid reader, and an accomplished handyman.  As an artist, John blessed his family and friends with oil paintings, ceramics, woodcarvings, stained-glass pieces, and leather crafts. Last fall he was so proud to learn that a stained-glass piece he made for daughter Jan’s sorority (AOPi at UIUC) in the late 1980’s is still hanging beautifully over the front door, and to know that his granddaughter Emily is now the 2nd generation enjoying it as a new member of the sorority this school year.

John’s favorite pastime was to sit with family and share stories about his life and the world at large.  He loved to talk about the people and places that impacted his life.  John’s stories will be greatly missed.

John is survived by his loving wife, Joan and their cherished children Jan (Dan) Dziengel and James Lax.  He is also survived by his three grandchildren Nathan, Emily, and Sara Dziengel, and siblings James Francisco, Doris (Sis) Faris, and Mary Ann Miller.

Private services were held.