John P. Wiese

Services for John Patrick Wiese were held on Friday, December 22, 2023, at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Hwy, Palatine, IL, with Father Terry Keehan serving as officiant. John was laid to rest at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines Il.

John Patrick Wiese was born on September 7, 1942, to Mae and Milo Wiese of Des Plaines, Il.

He graduated from Maine West High School before attending The University of Illinois and earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications, followed by his Master’s Degree from The University of Colorado.

His first job was for Campbell Mithun Advertising Agency, later working in marketing for Sears, Roebuck and Co., and as a Vice President for Kapular Research, before establishing his own business, Arlington Research, where he worked until retirement.

Academics remained a high priority throughout John’s life. He joined Roosevelt University’s Institute for Continued Learning and served as Board President (June 2015-June 2017,) as an instructor, technical advisor, and lifelong student and organizer of curriculum. He took enrichment classes at Oxford University in England and remained an avid reader and crossword puzzle solver.

He taught evening marketing classes at the College of St. Frances. Along with the Director of the Barrington Historical Society, he established the ‘One Room Schoolhouse’ by developing the curriculum and serving as docent.

He was always eager to share his wealth of knowledge with anyone willing to listen.

He was also passionate as a volleyball player and as a coach for Rolling Thunder, Top Flight, and Sports Performance organizations.

John participated in the Huntsman Senior Games in St. George, Utah, with his team winning a gold medal in volleyball in the 65–70-year age bracket.

John is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Barbara (née Kuc,); his daughter, Kristin (Eric) Gebhardt; his son, Daniel (Julie); grandchildren, Tyler and Ryan Gebhardt, and Wiliam and Vera Wiese; his sister, Donna Balsley, and nieces, Cathy and Karen.