John Thomas Madell
John Thomas Madell died peacefully on the early evening of June 1st at the age of 88, surrounded by family.
John was born June 28, 1933 in Chicago, IL to Ruth and Dr. John C. Madell. He grew up in Brookfield and graduated from Fenwick High School. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from IIT, he continued his studies in nuclear engineering at MIT where he obtained his doctorate.
Upon graduation, he returned to work in Illinois at Argonne National Laboratory for ten years before moving in 1971 to Germany to work at Interatom. In 1973, he returned to the US to work for GE and Argonne before starting SSA, his own consulting business.
For 58 years, he lived in Western Springs, IL. Engaged in the village, he worked on the water committee and served one term as Village Trustee. An enthusiastic athlete, John enjoyed tennis. He played in the WS tennis team and ran the Tower Trot many times, often with his children and grandchildren. He was well known in the community as the man who walked to the post office every day with his dog and a Kirschbaum donut hole.
He was predeceased by his brother, Jim; and he is survived by his sister, Jackie. John is also survived by his wife of 61 years, Maureen Madell, and their children Mary (Robert), Christen (Scott), Edward (Allison), and Peter (Moira), and his nine grandchildren. John was a man of many accomplishments, and his legacy of good humor, faith, devotion, and family will live on in the many he touched.
Visitation 4 to 8pm on Thursday, July 28 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th Street, Countryside. A Memorial Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 29 at St. John of the Cross Church, 5005 S. Wolf Road, Western Springs. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Smile Train, the nonprofit changing the world one smile at a time, are appreciated. Funeral info: 708-352-6500
Dear Maureen and family. We were so sorry to hear about the death of John, though we knew that life had gotten really tough for him in recent months. It is good to know that he is now at peace. We have such wonderful memories of times with John in IT? or in numerous social gatherings, many of which were at your house. We did admire his faithful interest and service to the village of Western Springs. He was truly a good citizen of the community!! Please accept our deepest sympathy. John will be missed!
Most sincerely, Kathryn and Val
Dear Maureen and family,
I always enjoyed seeing John’s smiling face at village board meetings and speaking to him about local concerns. Although he was an extremely gifted person, he could explain processes and procedures in easy to understand terms. I am thinking particularly of the reverse osmosis operation at the water plant. Ray and I did not know him socially, just through his commitment to the village, but we know that he was a special person and a very good man whom all of you will miss greatly.
Sincerely,
Ray and Jeanine Jasica
Dear Maureen,
As a village trustee, I always enjoyed meeting with John, even when we were on different sides of Village issues. He wAs also a faithful visitor to the Water Tower Museum (with his faithful dog) and I enjoyed hearing his recollections of Western Springs. He will be missed!.
John & Virginia Devona