John “Lester” Shea
John Leslie “Lester” Shea, 56, passed away May 22, 2022, 6 years to the day of his mother’s passing. The best of the Shea clan was called home. He was an inspiration to his family and friends during his lengthy struggle with cancer. John was humble, kind, considerate and thankful, and he never once questioned aloud the challenging path he was given.
John is survived by his devoted wife, Amy (nee Nilles); loving daughters, Colleen and Ella; cherished siblings, Debbie (Mike) Wittmann, Mike (Roxanne) Shea, Teresa (Brent) Ostoich, Dave (Rita) Shea, Jeff (Sullivan) Shea, Kathy (Bill) Duffy, and Karen (Mike) Sheppard; and loving aunt, Bev Quigley.
John is also survived by his wife’s 6 siblings and their spouses, and he was the loving son-in-law of Jane Nilles.
John is predeceased by his parents, Gene and Rosie Shea, his father-in-law Herb Nilles, and his niece Casey Nilles.
John loved nothing more than spending time with Amy and his 2 beautiful daughters. He loved coaching Colleen and Ella in sports, and he enjoyed the 6 years he spent in Indian Princess activities with them. As a family, they enjoyed traveling, listening to music, watching sports, eating breakfast out and spending a week every summer in Union Pier, Michigan with the extended Shea family. John’s daughters always looked forward to receiving his comical text messages about his famous “Big Daddy’s Pot Roast” and bike riding adventures.
Some of John’s best times were growing up with his siblings, friends and all the wonderful families from St. Patrick’s Grade School and neighborhood. He was fondly known as “Lester” to his brothers and his childhood friends.
John was a proud graduate of Joliet Catholic High School, class of 1984, and he received a degree in finance from the University of St. Francis in Joliet. John had his 15 minutes of fame, as he was the first player in the history of IHSA boys basketball games to make a 3-point shot.
John was a role model to his 50 nieces and nephews. His sense of humor, funny text messages and creative culinary skills will always be in their hearts.
John enjoyed spending time with his many friends from his younger days in Joliet to his years in LaGrange Park. Some of his most treasured times were spent with friends playing cards, attending concerts, fishing, watching sports, discussing world issues and going on campouts. John was selfless and loyal, and his soul was not for sale. He went to the mat for what he believed was right. Everyone John met became a friend. He had a gift for making everyone else feel special and loved.
We are all better people for having John in our lives, as he made the world a better place. He will be dearly missed, but our memories of him will last forever.
The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care John received for the past 9 years from his oncology team and nurses at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) can be mailed to NET Research Foundation, 31 St. James Avenue, Suite 365, Boston, MA 02116 or made online at www.netrf.org/give
Visitation 3 to 9pm Monday, May 30 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th Street, Countryside. Family and friends to meet at St. Francis Xavier Church, 124 N. Spring Avenue, LaGrange on Tuesday, May 31 for 10am Mass. Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery to follow. Funeral info: 708-352-6500
We will miss you dear John. U are in heaven with God and your beloved parents, Gene and Rosie. God bless your family and siblings! ❤️
Deepest sympathies to the entire Shea family on the loss of your beloved brother/husband/father. Knowing that your mom was there to welcome him on the anniversary of her passing, hopefully eases some of the pain. Sending all our love and prayers to you.
I am so sad to hear of John’s unfortunate passing. My deepest sympathies to the entire Shea family! God bless.
His smiling face and cheerful disposition will definitely be missed by the neighbors that have had the pleasure of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
“How lucky am I to have something so wonderful that makes saying Goodbye soo hard”. Winnie the Pooh
So very sorry to the Shea siblings and their families. I did not know John well, but from his obituary and from his sister, Deb, he was a loving, wonderful and very interesting member of the family. Surely he is at peace and without pain; enjoying heaven with Rosie and Gene❤️ Praying for peace for the family.
Very sorry to hear this awful loss for your family. Heaven seems to be taking so many good loving people. May his life and your memories give you peace.
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. What a truly wonderful man.
John reached out to me when our son was battling cancer. Always thinking of others even during his own battle. His bless the Shea family.
I don’t cry that often…but I sure did when I saw this. Too many wonderful years and memories growing-up with Les, and into adulthood. There’s no words. He brought joy and laughter whenever or wherever he showed up. My memories of Les will be eternal. May God bless and comfort the Shea families.
Agreed. Nice tribute Greek!
Amy — I am very sorry. I send love and healing to your shattered heart. Grief is a journey. We will all be here as you need us. Give my love to your girls please.
Lester was a great guy. Please accept our deepest condolences on your loss.
How, how. You will be missed and the world is emptier without you. My condolences to the family of a great man.
My deepest sympathies to the Shea families.
John was a great guy.
You are all in my prayers. ☘️
My deepest sympathies go out to all of John’s family. I remember him to be a kind person an always a pleasant smile when he greeted you. May the blessing of God remain with you all during this time of grieving.
We love the Shea Family!!!
The Broderick’s
My condolences to my friend Debbie Shea Whittmann and dear friends and family.
I didn’t know John well , however I have some great memories of being at his house when we were growing up .
One of the best families Ever !
What a great tribute to John wish I had the opportunity to have met him .
I know his parents are with him now ♥️
Our prayers are with you and your family Lester….far to young to have left us…🙏🙏🙏
So sorry to both the Shea and Nilles families!! What a kind, sweet guy John always was!! Will be thinking and praying for you all! May he rest in peace!!
My deepest condolences to the entire Shea family. John was one of the kindest and most humble individuals that I’ve ever encountered during my lifetime.
So very sorry for the entire Shea family. I was blessed to have coached John( Lester) and David. John was one- of a – kind who made me laugh on so many of occasions at practice. He was a great teammate and an exceptional person. Please know Connie and I will continue to pray for the Shea family. Love your family!
My condolences to the entire Shea family. May John rest in the peace and comfort of God’s loving arms for all eternity🙏🏼
Thoughts, prayers and peace for everyone in the Shea Family.
So sorry and sad to hear this news! John was such a kind, genuine human being and a class act!
Our prayers and condolences to the Shea family!
The Stoiber family
Lester was one of the finest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. The poet Adam Lindsay Gordon had Lester in mind when he wrote these words over 100 years ago:
Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble,
Courage in your own.
May Les sit at the Right Hand of God.
Young Lester running down a rebound of one of his brother’s misses with Scampi chasing the same ball. He loved those “courts” with Quig’s. and Maz.
We are blessed to have known you..
John was such a wonderful man I went to grade school with him and college. Sending prayers out to the entire Shae Family. RIP Lester. Say hi to Mr. Paul for us.
So very sorry to hear of Johns’ illness and passing. Always one of the kindest are nice guys you would have ever met.
So very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. John was a kind and good person. He is now in heaven with his wonderful mother and father.
The world is less brighter with Johnny Lester’s passing. He would always light you up with his 1,000 kilowatt smile whenever you crossed paths. A truly kindhearted soul.
My deepest sympathies to all the Shea and Nilles Families.
Thanks for the very kind words Carey. He was the best of the best. But thankfully his suffering is at an end.
It was a helluva a neighborhood growing up. Many wonderful people.
Hope you are doing well.
Mike Shea
Lester was a great friend and teammate. I will always remember his unique laugh. He had a high arching 3 point shot that usually hit nothing but net. He was a simple, genuine, and kind hearted man( a reflection of his family). God bless his family.
So very, very sorry to hear about John’s passing. Many memories of playing ball with him and good times hanging out. All of our love from the Penosky’s going out to the entire Shea family during this time. Even though the years and miles have separated us from those days at St. Pat’s, you all will always have a special place in our hearts. May it be of some consolation that this valley is only a shadow (psalm 23) in the light of eternity. May God comfort you with His presence and love. ❤️
Amy, I was so sad to hear about your loss. My sincere condolences and prayers for peace in these difficult days.