John R. Handzus, 78, of Streator passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at his residence in Streator surrounded by his loving family.

  Funeral services will be held at a later date with Interment in Hillcrest Memorial Park.  The Solon-Telford Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

  Born September 20, 1946 in Streator, he was the son of Edward and Margaret (Leonard) Handzus.  He married Linda Hodges on June 25, 1976.  If you knew them they were a true love story, always walking hand in hand.

  He is survived by his wife Linda; daughters, Veronica (Dave) Roberts and Angie (Troy) Dodge; three granddaughters, Heather (Dustin) Donohue, Rachel (Mike) Jabczynski and Shawn (Fritz) Palko; two grandsons, Cody and Connor Dodge; three great grandsons, Logan, Jasper and Milo Jabczynski; sisters, Agnes Sauers and Barb Miller; and brothers, Ron (Janet) Handzus, Rick Handzus, Ed (Ruth) Handzus, Bernie (Rachel) Handzus,

  He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, John Handzus at 20 years of age; his in-laws, Jess and Pearl Hodges; a brother, Andrew Handzus, a sister, Janet Whalen; brothers and sisters in law, Bobby and Jeff Hodges; Robert Whalen, Jack Sauers and Raymond Miller; a niece, Lori Leonard; and a nephew, Greg Sauers.

  Born and raised in Streator he attended local grade schools and graduated from Streator High School on June 25, 1965.

  He was a proud Navy Veteran and served in the Vietnam War on the USS Cochrane.  He served in the Navy from August of 1965 until August of 1969.

  He was employed at Owens-Brockway Glass for 38 years before his retirement on January 1, 2009.

   He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Streator.

  John was an avid fisherman and enjoyed taking trips to Kentucky to fish on Nolin Lake near Leitchfield never giving up his secret spots.  Many would say he retired from fishing.  He will be remembered for his generosity, love of family, pets, cooking and his sense of humor.  I hope fishing in heaven is good PawPaw.

  Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com