John “Jack” Thomas Keleher - devoted husband, loving father, adoring grandfather, dear brother, uncle, cousin; friend of the less fortunate and oppressed; lover of nature, poetry, and history; compassionate, kind and gentle soul - passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 13, 2014.

Jack was born on October 29, 1923, the son of Irish immigrants Elizabeth J. Sampey and Patrick J. Keleher. He grew up in Chicago and was the oldest of three brothers, Francis, James (Joan), and Patrick (Joan), who predeceased him, and one sister who survives him, Sr. Jean Keleher, CSC. Jack was married to the love of his life, Dorothy Agnes Catalano, for 67 years. They met when both were members of a Catholic youth group focusing on social justice. They married on May 24, 1947, at St. Giles Church in Oak Park.

Jack went to Our Lady Help of Christians grammar school and Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He served as an officer in the Navy during WWII after training at Notre Dame and Harvard. He graduated from Loyola University of Chicago in 1947 and Loyola Law School in 1951. He was a law professor at Loyola and Kent law schools, practiced law for 26 years, and served as a circuit court judge of Cook County for the last 16 years of his career. He helped establish and implement the Mandatory Arbitration Program in the Circuit Court of Cook County, and became its first supervisory judge in 1990.

Jack was active in the 1960’s civil rights movement and supportive of many other equal rights causes. As president of the Elmhurst Human Relations Council and chairman of the DuPage County Conference on Race and Religion, he introduced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King at an Elmhurst College community event in July 1966. He also spoke at a memorial service in Elmhurst for Dr. King in April 1968. Additionally, he served on the United States Catholic Bishops’ Advisory Council and the Illinois Catholic Conference Selection Committee.

Jack is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his 10 children and 18 grandchildren: Susan (Bernie Kleina); Brian (Myrna Balucas); Patrice (Jim Hill) and son Alex; Janet (Dan McKinley) and children Maura, Michael, Clare; Brendan (Mary Rose) and daughters Madeline, Shannon, Katrina; Sheila (Daniel Jupiter) and daughter Kiana; Colleen (Dennis Ryan) and children Caleigh, Fiona, Declan; Terry and son Nathan; Miles (Michele Gardner) and daughters Alana, Cara; Neil (Dorota) and children Julia, Jasiu, Jeremy, Milena. His two beloved grandchildren, Andy and Keisha, predeceased him. He is also survived by many loving and devoted nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services have been held. The family suggests donations to Rainbow Hospice, 1550 Bishop Court, Mount Prospect, IL 60056, rainbowhospice.org or Crossroads Fund, 3411 W. Diversey, Chicago, IL 60647, crossroadsfund.org.