John Shular

John Shular, age 101, of Dixon died peacefully on March 15, 2025 at Heritage Square in Dixon. He was born June 12, 1923 in Bristol, Connecticut, the son of Michael and Anna (Skibinecz) Shular. John graduated from Bristol High School in 1941 and soon after joined the Navy Air Corps in 1942 during WWII. After being trained in Pensacola, Florida in 1943, he was stationed in England at Dunkeswell Airfield as an as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate, where he supported Fleet Airwing 7 crews hunting U-boats in the Bay of Biscay. John married Frances Klimek, also from Bristol, Connecticut, in 1945, and after mustering out of the Navy in 1946 they moved back to Bristol. He worked in his father’s grocery store, Shular’s Market, and also worked remodeling apartment buildings where he learned carpentry and plumbing skills. At the behest of several friends and with the backing of the GI Bill, in 1948 he enrolled in the Civil Engineering program at Tri State College (now Trine University) in Angola, Indiana. After earning his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1952, he accepted a job in Dixon, Illinois at the Illinois Department of Transportation, District 2. He retired from full time work in 1987, but continued to work part-time there for another 14 years. John was active in many local Dixon organizations, including as a member of the Board of Education, Rotary Club, Community Chest, and was on the KSB Board of Directors for 9 years, where he was elected Chairman for one term. He and Fran were devoted members of St. Anne Catholic Church in Dixon since 1952. They enjoyed many years playing bridge, golfing, bowling and traveling with good friends. John also delighted in his annual vegetable and flower gardens, and spent hours in his workshop building furniture, clock cases and drafting plans for several home renovation projects. He was preceded in death by his brother Sam, his 2 sisters Mary and Helen, his wife of 75 years, Frances Shular, and his son, Jeffery Shular. John is survived by his daughter Rebecca (Douglas) Hoffman, 2 grandchildren Adam Hoffman (Ralitza Todorova) and Aliza (James) Shafer, and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Saturday March 22, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church in Dixon. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin after the visitation at 11:00 AM on Saturday at the church. Burial of cremated remains will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon. Donations in John’s memory can be made to St. Anne School in Dixon.

John Shular

June 12, 1923 - March 15, 2025