John W. Verstynen

John William Verstynen, 99, of Loves Park, passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. He was born on August 10, 1923, in Rumley, Michigan, the son of Cornelius Frances and Johanna Mary (Driessen) Verstynen. John grew up in Rockford, IL and was a graduated from West High School, class of 1941. He served in the U.S. Navy Air Force as a cadet and was assigned to a B-29 as an aerial photographer. Later because of too many cadets, John became a sergeant in the U.S. Army. He received an honorable discharge in 1946.
John worked most of his life in the men and boys clothing business for a total of 63 years. He was a manager of Stuckey’s Boys department for 27 years until they sold to Hart Schaffner Marx. John became manager of D. J. Stewart Boys Department for over two years until he was offered the manager position for a new Four-Square family store. He continued working in men’s clothing after the closing of Four-Squares. John left Rockford to be with his brother Francis, who lived in Albuquerque, NM. There he worked for Dillard’s for several years. Upon returning to Rockford, he began working in the men’s clothing department of Marshall Fields, later becoming Macy’s, for over 10 years. He retired in 2009, at the age of 83. He married an old friend, Dorothy Martens Mastricola in March of 1994. John and Dorothy continued living in Rockford and traveled a lot together. He had two stepsons, Scott Mastricola and Steven Mastricola. John and Dorothy had a granddaughter, Danielle, who was born in May of 1997, whom they adored. They never missed a school function or a dance recital of Danielle’s. They spent one day a week with her until she was a teenager.
He is survived by his stepsons, Scott (Donna) and Steven (Pamela); granddaughter, Danielle; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, brothers, Gerald William, Joseph Cornelius, Francis Henry, and twin brother, Lambert Charles.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 10:00 am, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Avenue, Loves Park 61111. A night before visitation will take place on Monday, August 15, 2022, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford 61108. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OSF Healthcare Foundation, and designate it to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, area of greatest need. Please share memorials and condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.