John F. Lynn 1952-2010

Major John Francis Lynn, USMC Retired, 58, passed away at 4:12 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, in Herrin Hospital. He was born March 8, 1952, in Chicago, the son of William Francis and Ruth Mary (Meier) Lynn. John was united in marriage to Patty Durall on May 29, 1976, in Marion, and together they have shared the last 34 years of marriage. John answered the call of this nation by serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years as an enlisted member, and 20 years as an officer, retiring as a major. He served as a tank officer in California and North Carolina and was a foreign area officer in Central and South America. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale and, at the present time, served as assistant dean for Administration of SIU School of Law. John was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. He was a member of Illinois State Bar Association and Pro Bono Counsel for Fisher House in Chicago. He was director of the Veterans' Legal Assistance Program at SIU School of Law and spent considerable time working on behalf of local veterans. He worked with Big Brothers of Georgia, and he was a supporter of the Special Olympics. In his spare time, he enjoyed the art of stained glass and molding lead miniatures. John is survived by his wife, Patty Lynn of Marion; two daughters and one son-in-law, Rachel Lynn and Andrew Dunston of Madison, Ga., and Kathryn Lisbeth Lynn of Champaign; grandson, William Grady Dunston of Madison, Ga.; sister, Patricia Lynn and husband, Michael Webb, of Alpharetta, Ga.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Honey Lynn of Naperville, and David and Elaine Lynn of Park Ridge; mother-in-law, Colleen Norman of Marion; father-in-law, Maurice Durall of Marion; several nieces and nephews, other extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church at 316 W. Monroe St. in Herrin, with the Rev. Monsignor Thomas D. Flach presiding. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Military graveside honors will be accorded by members of VFW Heyde-Pillow Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and the Illinois National Guard, all of Marion. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., in Marion. For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to St. Louis VAMC Fisher House. Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church or may be mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. For additional information or to leave an online condolence or memory, visit www.wilsonmcreynolds.com.