| 12/12/2007 5:14:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Village mourns the death of John Lukehart
By KEN TRAINOR
Web extra!
John Lukehart, 55, chairman of the Oak Park Area Arts Council board, former chair of the Community Relations Commission, and former head of the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, died Tuesday at 9:26 p.m. following a two-year battle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer.
Born on the family farm in central Iowa, he graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in "Distributed Studies," focusing on sociology and political science. He moved to Oak Park in 1980 and joined the Arts Council board in 2000.
The cancer was aggressive, requiring numerous surgeries and at one point, a section of his skull had to be removed, forcing him to wear a protective helmet. But it didn't slow him down. He continued to make public appearances and act as the village's number one champion of the arts.
Peter Levavi, a colleague from his days with the Leadership Council, called him a "truly a wonderful person, unique in his commitment to social justice and unflinching in his determination to achieve racial equality. But more important, he was the kindest, warmest, humblest public servant I have had the opportunity to work with. He will be greatly missed."
Lukehart and his family arranged to donate his brain and several organs to science.
Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 14 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St. Funeral services are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St., followed by interment at Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park. For more information, call Drechsler Brown at 383-3191.
|
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, December 17, 2007
Article comment by:
Laura Perna
John was motivated to work on behalf of others, not himself. I hope he is at peace, and with others who have made a difference in their communities.
Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2007
Article comment by:
Joan Winstein
It takes a village to mourn John Lukehart.
What a wonderful and kind man, totally devoted to Mary and his children, and his commitment to the dignity of all men.
Posted: Thursday, December 13, 2007
Article comment by:
Jim Coughlin
John Lukehart was a fine man who's spirit will live on in the hearts of those he left behind. His contributions to the Oak Park community should be recognized with an award named in his honor.
Posted: Thursday, December 13, 2007
Article comment by:
Marty Noll
It was less than two months ago that I saw John ambling down Lake Street, making his periodic rounds. He stopped by to say hello and, brightly and cheerfully, he spoke about the need to make the arts more a part of the lives of Oak Park citizens. I thought about his battle with brain cancer, but he didn't. He was concerned about the arts, his love, almost de rigueur. Oak Park will miss John's quiet passion, his gentlemanliness, and his marvelous spirit. Mary and their children have the sympathy of a great many people.
Posted: Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Article comment by:
Ed Solan
I had the pleasure of knowing and working with John for approximately 20 years, dating from my days at the Illinois Housing Development Authority and John's at the Leadership Council. We shared a common interest in housing issues and our mutual love for Oak Park. John was a caring and thoughtful individual whom we'll greatly miss.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
