John Olivero 1924-2011

John Olivero, 86, of Peru, IL, a devoted family man, passed away quietly on March 1, 2011 at Illinois Valley Community Hospital, Peru, IL. Mr. Olivero was born on August 18, 1924 and was raised in Dalzell. He graduated from Hall Township High School, Spring Valley and then entered LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College. While attending college, John was drafted into military service during World War II. He served in General Patton’s 3rd Army during the historic race to Berlin in the 1944/45 Campaigns. He was a Sergeant and Heavy Machine Gun Operator in the 242nd Regiment of the 42nd Rainbow Division of the 3rd Army. His service lasted almost 4 years and included combat in France, Germany, Austria and Italy. He received decorations for his campaigns in France and Germany. His service ended as part of the U.S. occupational force in Austria after the fighting ended. Like most World War II Veterans, he rarely talked about his service but he participated in Veteran’s Day ceremonies with his son, John Paul, who is also a Veteran, at his granddaughter Shana’s grade school and also spoke to her class. After serving our country, John re-entered and graduated from L.P.O. Junior College. John then attended the University of Illinois-Champaign, where he graduated with a law degree on June 18, 1950 and became licensed as an attorney on November 29, 1950. For more than 55 years John was devoted to the practice of law in his offices in Peru and Tonica, where his daughter, Lisa, who is also an attorney, joined him in 1982. He was an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the LaSalle County Bar Association. John was honored by the Illinois State Bar Association in 2000 for 50 years of distinguished service as an attorney. John served on the Board of Directors of the Illini State Bank in Tonica, Lostant and Oglesby for 22 years, which he enjoyed immensely. Because of his strong faith, he felt passionately that he had a mission in life to serve others. For many years, John was a commentator for Sunday morning services at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Peru. He was also a member and past president of the Holy Name Society of St. Joseph’s Church. In addition, he was a member of the Peru Public Library Board for over 40 years, serving as the President of the board for many years. His work on the board brought him great satisfaction. One of his proudest moments serving on this board was when he was honored to give a speech on July 4, 1985 at the dedication ceremony of the new Peru Public Library. John, along with his fellow board members, was instrumental in seeing this library built. Mr. Olivero married the love of his life, Lorraine, on October 9, 1954 and they had nine children. John would often remark that this was his crowning achievement. John loved to travel and took numerous family vacations. He never left home without his camera and often took and treasured photos of his family. His grandchildren brought joy to his life, a joy that illuminated his face whenever you saw them together. He relished being a grandfather and showering his grandchildren with love. John also enjoyed playing the accordion, piano, drums, and trumpet and his passion and love for music continues through his grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Mr. Olivero is survived by his wife, Lorraine; 9 children, John Paul Olivero of Peru, Lisa Olivero of Ladd, Laurie (Steve) Landsman of Willowbrook, Mark (Laura) Olivero of Ft. Wayne, IN, Linda Olivero of Springfield, Lana (Eric) Elder of Chenoa, Tom (Wendy) Olivero of Utica, Lucy Olivero of Chicago and Luke (Jeanna) Olivero of LaSalle; 15 grandchildren; 2 brothers Carlo Olivero of Dalzell and Louis Olivero of Peru and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Jean Olivero, his sister, Minnie Eschenbaum, and a brother, Dato Olivero. Pallbearers will be John Paul Olivero, Mark Olivero, Tom Olivero, Luke Olivero, Steve Landsman, Eric Elder, Michael Wargo and Jared Landsman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Church in Peru, IL or to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018 or online at Parkinson.org.