John M. Hamaker

John M. Hamaker, 80 of Rockford, IL passed away Monday, August 2, 2021 surrounded by family. He was born December 16, 1940 in Rockford, IL the son of Morgan and Mabel (Herrmann) Hamaker. John attended St. Thomas Catholic High School class of 1958. He married the love of his life, Darlene Olszewski on May 25, 1963.

John was a cool guy. He had a wide variety of interests including drag racing his ’40 Olds against the other guys on the streets of Rockford. He and one of his best friends, John Lorden, would spend hours building and tuning their cars and then head out looking for a race. John skied all over the world seeking out the deepest powder and the smoothest corduroy groomed runs. He loved Whistler, Jackson Hole, and the Back Bowls of Vail. John was the number one Colt fan. He had season tickets and owned every article of clothing they made. John was also the life of the party, often the first to arrive and the last to leave. He loved eating filets, making his own french fries, and mixing his famous Southern Comfort perfect Manhattans with two olives. He and Darlene had a great group of friends that they loved to go out with.

John was a master carpenter and craftsman. He had tremendous skills and a work ethic that could not be matched. Carpentry wasn’t something he did, it was who he was. He worked into his 80th year installing windows, doors, and remodeling a variety of projects.

John was a fierce and brave warrior. He was diagnosed with a cureless cancer in 2001. Later, after two stem cell transplants and endless rounds of chemo, his doctors proclaimed him cured. They told him he had beaten one trillion to one odds and that he “ was a miracle”. He never complained and would get his chemo in the morning and go straight to work after the treatments.

Most of all, John was a tremendous family man. He modeled love for his wife, love for his family, and a love for occasions that would bring them all together. He never missed a sporting or school event for his children or grandchildren. He taught them how to work hard, live life with passion, and never miss an opportunity. John inspired those around him to love without boundaries, look for the bright side in life, and to be the best person they could be.

Left to cherish John’s memory are his loving wife, Darlene; son, John (Kris) Hamaker; grandchildren, Stefanie (Brett) McWilliams, Jake (Emily) Hamaker; son, Jim (Deidre) Hamaker; grandchildren, Morgan and Chase Hamaker; daughter, Jill (Don Walker) Dennis; grandsons, Carson and Connor Dennis; brothers and sisters in law; Sr. Bernice Olszewski, O.P., Dolores Dawson, Bernadette (Stan) Tebbe, Jerry (Patty) Olszewski, Mary Ann Ward, Donna Olszewski; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Predeceased by his parents, Morgan and Mabel; father and mother in-law, Bruno and Christine Olszewski; brothers, Michael John Olszewski and Paul Olszewski; brother in law, Ron Dawson. The family would like to thank MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, Swedish American Cancer Center, the doctors and nurses of Swedish American Hospital 700 West especially Kelsie and Laura, and Heartland Hospice for the care and compassion given to John and his family.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 8, 2021 from 4:00 – 8:30 p.m. with a time of sharing at 6:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. A Visitation will continue Monday, August 9, 2021 from 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, 1243 N. Church St. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, August 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter. Burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for an endowment to be established in John’s name in care of Dana Krieger, Midland State Bank, 2218 N. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61107 or via Venmo @john-hamaker. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.