John F. Holda, Jr.

John F. Holda Jr., 84, formerly of Des Plaines, Illinois and most recently from Leaf River, Illinois, suddenly passed away on May 28, 2019.

John Francis Holda Jr. was born to the late John Sr. and Victoria (Gurka) Holda in Chicago, Illinois on November 27, 1934. He was the last surviving child and was predeceased by his brothers Arthur, Eugene, and Thomas Holda. John was a member of the graduating class of 1952 from Carl Schurz High School in Chicago. After high school, John went to Washburne Trade School to become a Building Trades Journeyman steam pipe fitter, where he became a member of the Pipe Fitters Union Local 597, and remained for over 62 years. Following Washburne, he served two years active service in the Army. John was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose since 1995, and a member of the Leaf River American Legion Post 1148 since 2002, where he has a brick at the American Legion Memorial that states “John Holda – Red 1”. On May 19, 1962, he married Joyce (Jochum) Holda, and had two daughters.

John’s eldest daughter, Janeen (Holda) Sauber, who married John Sauber, predeceased John in 2012. He had two beautiful granddaughters in North Carolina, Michelle Sauber and Marissa (Sauber) Alford (Roger Alford). John had one cherished great-granddaughter, Addison Michelle Alford (7 years old), who loves fishing just like her great-grandpa. His youngest daughter, Jaclyn (Holda) Stonebraker, of Durham, North Carolina, is married to Arthur Lindsey. John had a loving grandson, Victor Stonebraker (15 years old), who enjoys many of the same interests and activities as his grandpa. John also left behind his best buddy (nephew from Vicki (Jochum) Ultsch), Christopher Ultsch of Belvidere. The two were like “two peas in a pod”. They could be seen together at the Lion’s club breakfast in town, and Chris has developed his own mark in the Leaf River community.

John loved to spend his days mowing his lawn and working around his property. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, even though the opening day of walleye season always fell during his anniversary week. John quit smoking on February 17, 1966 and never forgot to remind smokers of that date. He was very passionate about not smoking. John was a consummate tinkerer, which meant he could fix pretty much everything. He loved to cook, especially when family came to visit. John enjoyed the country way of life and found in Leaf River his home where he established new friends, including his coffee buddies at the Mini-Mart. Additionally, life-long friends, many dear nieces and nephews, and extended family will miss John.

A memorial service will be held for John on Friday, July 5, 2019 from 11am-2pm at River Valley Complex, 605 Main Street, Leaf River, IL 61047.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family of John Holda has asked that you make a donation in his memory to Animal House Shelter, a no-kill shelter in Huntley, IL, by visiting https://www.animalhouseshelter.com/donate-now/ to make an online donation, or send a donation to Animal House Shelter, 13005 Ernesti Rd. Huntley, IL 60142.