John Birt, beloved husband, Daddy, Bumpa, and friend, passed away on April 16, 2024 at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington after a brief illness at the age of 79.
He was born on October 3, 1944 to the late John and Peg (Pullen) Birt in Chicago. He grew up in Niles, Michigan, graduating from Niles High School in 1962. John enjoyed a long, fun-filled college career (most likely made longer by his tendency to sell his books for beer money) at Murray State University, graduating in 1969. He was also a proud Vietnam Army veteran (5th Infantry Division). John spent much of his working life as a buyer for Leewards, a job he loved, and later became an auditor for Beck and Associates.
John had a multitude of hobbies and enjoyed being outdoors. You could often find him out working in the yard, tending to his plants, flowers and landscaping, feeding the birds, as well as perfecting his many deer deterrent systems. He spent the summers boating on the Fox River and the winters in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, taking long strolls on the beachfront. John also enjoyed fishing, taking many trips to Canada with friends.
With a great sense of humor and a quick wit, John was always good with a one-liner and enjoyed long dinners with family and friends and was a regular at the Villa Bleu in Fox River Grove for many years. John was a good neighbor and spent time working with veterans at The AmVets.
When at home, John could often be found watching “Perry Mason” or “Seinfeld” in between dozing sessions in his chair. A glass of Two Buck Chuck from his stockpile of bottles was usually not too far away. John’s presence will be greatly missed by all who knew him and no gathering will be the same without him.
John is survived by his wife of 36 years, Nancy (Creighton) and his children, Jenni (Mark) Reisner, Mike (Vidal Santacruz) Birt, Jeff (Aurelie) Lozier, and Jamie (Dan Murphy) Birt. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Leighanna, Henry, and Sydney Birt, Julien and Leo Lozier, and Harrison Reisner, as well as his niece and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Gayle Borst.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 with a time of sharing at 3:00 pm at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley.
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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John was my best work buddy at LeeWards in Elgin, 1974-1980. It was a friendship that endured and deepened over 50 years. We shared similar tastes in humor, sports and sharing a beer and pizza together after playing in our company golf league. We always laughed years after being at the Bears game where Walter Payton set a single game rushing yard record, that we didn’t even realize it until the next day, due to overconsumption of a flask of schnapps, which we felt was necessary to deal with the bitter cold wind coming off Lake Michigan. We were there for each other on times that you could call “rough patches”. John’s laugh was infectious. I truly loved John, but then, everybody who knew him, did. I know that Lake Michigan would be a bit higher today, if there were a tributary from all of the collective tears flowing from all the people who loved Johnnie. Peace be with you my old friend. Every time spent with you was a Holiday!
John was one of a kind, a truly great person. He may have left this world but his presence will live on in the hearts, memories,conversations, and many great stories of his life. My sincerest condolences to his family and many friends he left behind. It was a pleasure to have known him. RIP, John.
You will be so missed dear friend of mine and the many peoples lives you touched !!! I remember on one of John’s big birthdays me, Holly and Char dressed like a Birt thru phases of his life . In fact there is a picture of us on John’s face book with all 4 of us together that day some one took . He was one of a kind and again will be missed . Nancy and family you are in my prayers
The last time we encountered John and Nancy, was Christmas at Jimmy’s Charhouse. We were eating dinner with Bob’s family, they were sitting at the table next to us. They came over and hugged us. That embrace is even more special today.. John will be missed by many.
Our deepest condolences for your family. John will be missed.
Beautiful lifelong memories of John. I know he will be missed by many. His life revolved around his family. Witnessed the love he spread around all those that surrounded him.
LeeWards was truly bless, when John Birt join the catalog and retain buyers team. His smile and great sense of humor was incredible. Everyone look forward to be with John and experience John's special views. One of the many first, that he did was, LeeWards First Streaker at our Line-up Party. At the LeeWards Managers meeting, his presentation were unique and entertaining. Miss you and yes I look forward to seeing in heaven. Peace Be With You!!
Co-dad (John) will be so missed! I am grateful for the time at Jamie and Dan’s wedding. John was an amazing dad and person and I will forever remember his humor and wit. Sending condolences to Nancy, Jamie and the rest of the Birt family.
I'm so terribly sorry for this sudden tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Nancy, my prayers are with you and your family for your loss of John. From a former Lee Wards Customer Service employee for Mail Order.
It was with stunned disbelief to receive a call from John Popple on Tuesday letting me know John had entered his Heavenly Home. I was blessed to call John a dear friend for over 50 years. John & I met during our Chicago Montgomery Ward days. We had an immediate connection as John was so capable of connecting quickly with so many. We was a friend to many. God broke the mold when He made Johnnie Birt! We left MW at the same time to join Lee Wards where our friendship deepened. We enjoyed many hilarious Friday night end of the work week celebrations at the Hideaway Lounge in the Elgin Holiday Inn or poker games at my house, Saturday golf outings, dinners & other get togethers. Humor, of course, abundantly provided by Johnnie. John called me a week ago to see how I was doing & just to chat. A call that I will always remember. He was extremely upbeat & positive in spite of his newly surfaced health challenge. And, of course, he made me laugh to the point of tears. I envision him now doing the same with all of his loved ones who welcomed him with open arms as he entered his eternal Home. He is now eternally free from all suffering. I am also hoping he is reunited with my wife & his great friend, Rita Beth, who was called Home March 1st. I know John wants us to remember him with smiles rather than tears. Regrettably, I do not have time to make arrangements to fly from CA to attend John’s Celebration of Life on Sunday. With a very heavy heart, I express my deepest condolences to Nancy & family, all of whom he loved with all of his being. Dick Olson
Sending love and prayers for all of you, Cheryl and John
Our sincere condolences. John will be missed by so many. Prayers to the family.
John literally changed my life, twice. Once when he and I developed a relationship that allowed us to rocket the Milwaukee #13 Lee Wards store to the top of the seasonal merchandise sale charts, which also greatly helped my career in field management at Lee Wards. The second time was when he invited me to come try out the auditing business working for him at Dominick’s grocery audit with Robert Beck and Associates. This second time proved to be the best career move I ever made which paid and continues to pay dividends for my family and me. I can’t think of anyone outside of my immediate family that had a bigger impact on my life. He helped so many people over the years in a very quiet and unassuming way that few were even aware was happening. The earth just lost a good one. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, John.
My condolences to John's family. I knew John by our many years together at Lee Wards. John was in the merchandise buying part of the business and I was in Lee Wards retail store management. Working with John at different levels of the company was a great experience and a fond memory. John was always good for a laugh and fun while being at the top of my list as a buyer. Rest in peace.
There are people who come into our lives and make a small dent and then there are those who come in leaving a lastly impression. Mr. Birt, you were that of the latter. Your sense of humor, your kindness, your creativity, your deep love for Nancy, the way your face lit up when you spoke about your family - from your kids to your grandkids - your love was palpable. From NC to France to Mexico to boat rides on the very dirty river.. I always felt part of the family because of the love you, Nancy, Jamie, and your entire family poured into me. Thank you. Thank you for living life to the fullest, for loving deeply, and for allowing me the opportunity to know you and your family. You will be greatly missed, but your presence will always be so alive in my heart.
John was the best! I had the privilege of being his secretary for many years and the memories I have of him are countless! I’m sure everyone remembers the butter patties on the ceiling! He also once bought me a car to get back-and-forth to work but told me not to worry about the holes in the doors where the keys were supposed to go. I didn’t ask. I will always treasure the time Mike and I were able to spend time with John and Nancy on Fort Myers Beach for dinner a few years ago. Now John is in God’s hands and I’m sure he’s entertaining him as well. Rest In Peace my friend.
Words don't come easily enough for me to write them all down. Johnnie was my good friend. I think he made many fee like he was their best friend. So many funny stories I've heard from him that I would have thought I'd heard them all and then we'd spend an evening together and I'd hear two that I had never heard. Recently, he told me I was fat. I don't think Nancy believed him when he told her what he said. He was worried that he offended me enough that I wouldn't talk to him again. I did and he was right. So far, I'm down lbs. in part due to his encouragement or rude comment. I love Johnnie Birt and pray that he rests in peace.
To Nancy and family. We were so sad to hear of John’s passing and offer our prayers for the family. We know he will be deeply missed. We fondly remember John from our days at Villa Bleu and as Bumpa as he was so fondly referred to by the grandkids. We know your many happy memories will bring you comfort.
My condolences to John's family & many friends .. A great guy .. Rest in Peace ..
John (Johnnie) was my first cousin. He and I were the last of the family on our mothers' side. Auntie Peg and my mom, Vera were sisters. My grandma Nan lived on the same road as them in Niles and my family lived in the country one town over in Buchanan. We (Johnny, Gayle, my sister Barby and I) four spent every family holiday and birthdays together as the kids of the family gatherings. We formed a club, The Golden Eagles, and our clubhouse was an old two-story abandoned chicken house on Nan's property (The Farm) donated to our club by Nan. Besides our weekly dues which varied according to what we could afford and sometimes included any interesting objects like comics, scout pins or fake jewelry, we raised money by putting on plays, parades (Johnnie was a strongman mainly because he had a leopard-skin patterned blanket) skits from TV shows and reenacting anything our fertile minds could think of. Then we would invite the family to come and watch and pass the donation box. We figured they would be more generous if they were allowed to donate rather than have to pay a specified amount. We had our own table at gatherings, and sometimes our own room if we were too loud for the "elders" and I remember one time Johnnie made Barby laugh so hard the soda and ice cream mixture she was drinking came out her nose. They were indeed "golden" days. He was so lively and full of quick wit I never dreamed he wouldn't live forever and we didn't keep in touch much, but I always knew he was "there" and now he isn't and I miss him badly. The world was a brighter place with him in it
John was like no one I've ever met. Back in the old LeeWards days, everyone wanted to be around John. As Jack alluded to in a previous post, John had a rare gift (beside the ceiling butter patties) that, somehow, John made everyone feel like they were in fact, his best friend. If you were with John and not laughing and enjoying yourself, it might be time to check your pulse. It has to be a short list of people who laughed more than John, he was just one of those few people that had a good time no matter where he was. When I asked him once about his days in South Vietnam during the war, he told me he had a pretty good gig going there and really enjoyed himself. Talk about a short list? I have so many memories of our silly escapades that remain clear as a bell from forty years ago, others are a little foggy, but to be fair, many would have been foggy the following day. Smart, self-deprecating and with an unmatched zest for life, I'm so lucky that I was able to share those times with John and luckier still to be one of his thousand best friends.
John Burt was my boss at Leewards and I truly loved my time working for him. He taught me so much and I have always valued his friendship as much as his mentorship during those early years of my career. He was always the best story teller as well! He lived life to the fullest! Heaven has gained a very kind soul.
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing . He was a very important and beloved member of the Leewards buying group . He was always ready with a joke and smile for any one who entered his orbit . We were all so hopeful when he seemed to recover well from his stroke . John was a wonderful friend to all and he brought so much to the Leewards business as well as the “ family of corporate and store personnel. He will be remembered and missed by all of us ! We all want to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to all of his family and friends .
Sending love and prayers for all of you, Cheryl and John