John Jurasek

John Edward Jurasek passed away unexpectedly on July 7, 2021. He was born on October 2, 1960 to Nathalie (Reiland) and John Jurasek in Rockford. A graduate of West High School and Rock Valley College, John worked at an early age at First National Bank and as a chef at Rockford’s Feather Club before owning and operating his own business, HighLift Wholesale for 30 years. He loved connecting every day with his endless group of friends from all over the world, going all the way back to high school. John loved to entertain and was an expert chef. He was the family holiday host preparing the meals, (delivering them if you couldn’t attend) and nothing was better than having a house full of kids for overnights, enjoying all the chauffeuring, noise and commotion. Summers were all about boating, grilling and soaking up the sun with his family. He loved collecting and would pick up an unusual car, boat or ski-do just for fun. His sisters, niece and nephew could count on him without a question when they needed snow plowed, furniture moved, handyman skills and a generator when their power went out. The very best years of his life were those spent after meeting the love of his life, Sara Hoecker and kids Grace and Sam. He soon was welcomed into the Hoecker family, becoming fast friends especially with Sara’s parents, William and Jan Hoecker. A lifelong animal lover, Lucy joined the family and quickly became the best loved dog in the world. Together, John and Sara became a family filled with unconditional love and support. He was a friend of Bill W. for over 30 years.
John left us too soon and will be dearly missed. He is survived by his love Sara Hoecker, parents, William and Jan Hoecker and kids Grace and Sam; sisters, Ann (Norm) Shirk, Nancy (Kevin) Talmadge and Stacey (Tom) Dickerson, niece, Holly Sammons, nephew Nate Talmadge, “kids” Kira and Andy Manley and extended members of the Reiland, Jurasek and Hoecker families. He is predeceased by parents John and Nathalie Jurasek and brother in law Jeff Sammons.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 18, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 South Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. A Funeral Mass will be held on July 19, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernadette Church, 2400 Bell Avenue, Rockford, IL 61103. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory.