John Dalin Jack Leifheit

John Dalin (Jack) Leifheit, 94, of Hinckley, died on Saturday, July 17, 2010, in Sandwich. He was born in Waterman, Illinois, on July 15, 1916, the only child of Irvin and Marvel (McAllister) Leifheit.

Jack was a 1934 graduate of Hinckley High School. From March 1941 through November 1945 he served in the U.S. Army. During World War II, he was a truck driver, towing 155 mm howitzers, with the 123rd Field Artillery in the Pacific Theater, and later he served with the occupation forces in Japan.

On June 29, 1946, Jack married Jane Riemensnider at the Somonauk United Presbyterian Church.

After one year of employment at Hinckley Implement Co., Jack spent the rest of his working life in the hardware, plumbing, heating and sheet metal business, beginning as an employee of the Hinckley Hardware Co., owned by his uncle, Clyde McAllister. He and fellow employee, Willard (Bill) Happes, eventually purchased the business and operated it as a partnership for 21 years until Bill’s retirement, when it was sold. Jack continued to manage the hardware store and do sheet metal work for the new owner until his retirement in 1980. He had a special talent for sheet metal work, producing parts for ductwork required by the business, crafting small custom items for customers, and creating art as a hobby at home.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Carolyn, of Hinckley, his son, Bob, of Paw Paw, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, on August 9, 1987, by his parents, and by his cousin and friend since boyhood, Morsch Leifheit.

Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, (815) 286-3247, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com.