Paul Fruin

John was a leader - in faith, family and work - and in our class. He was a St. Thomas kid whom I first remember as a 4th grade classroommate the year our classroom was destroyed when the boiler below blew up (thankfully "after hours")! I don't recall John being an extraordinary leader in grade school but in high school he became one to whom we could all look up to as a class leader. This extended into the days following graduation as John could always be counted on to help with the planning of our class reunions - and he was getting ready for another one! He was also the developer and administrator of our Facebook page.

Though I would see John only once every ten years at our reunions, what I will miss most are the times he, Tom Shields and I would get together following the last reunion event to discuss our mutual love for Jesus. Those times were special and will be greatly missed.

You left us too early brother and I will always regret not having had one last chance to pray with, and for, you. You will be missed! But I KNOW I'll see YOU in eternity and I'll look forward to having some more great discussions about our first love as we walk the streets with Him! Godspeed brother!

Randall Epstein

As with most of my Crystal Lake classmates, I had lost contact with everyone after moving to Dundee for my last two years of HS.  Between this site and Face Book I've had an opportunity to reconnect with some folks from those days.  I found John on Face Book and noticed he was making these trips between Crystal Lake and the Keys, his beloved second home.  I managed to get him to stop and have breakfast in Atlanta on one of his trips through and my wife, Barbara, and I had a wonderful morning with John and Laura talking about our lifes and families. 

I am so glad I got that opportunity.  John and I grew up in the same neighborhood and spent some time together in the early days. It was great to see that John had become such a leader and man of faith.  I know that faith has him in a great place right now, but we will miss him greatly untl we meet again.

Rick Barchard

John will always be a best friend whether in this realm or the other side.  I am so glad I got to see him recently and talked about where we started from and where we are now. We laughed about all our antics in football, hunting at the sod farm and all the characters in between! 

Deb and I admire John because he always followed on his dreams with action.  His fishing, the big boat on Lake Michigan to his dream of living on the water in the Keys!  I got to visit him and Laura there about three years ago, and we enjoyed three days of golf, fishing and snorkeling!  We talked about all the pictures of that snorkeling trip when I visited him.  

 I will miss him terribly, but I know he is smiling down on all of us.  Love you man!

Donna Taylor (Magill)

Vic and I were so sorry to hear about John's passing.  When I posted on Facebook about scripture insight, he was usually one of the first to read my posts.  We were glad to get in contact with him at the last reunion.  We'll miss him.  We were hoping after our retirement to take a trip to the Keys to meet up with him. Time is so fleeting.

Gary Parrish

So grateful to have seen John and his family recently before his leaving this world to be at the hand of God.

I have been blessed to be able to call John my friend for more than 50 years. So many "Tiger Tales", assorted stories and memories retold over the years have included him. From "Breez'n the Freeze", working together at McMahon movers, double-dates, co-creating "RadkeyParrish" records, camping at Pennisula State Park, fishing, drinking Kayo, developing our photography skills with our latest and greatest Canon AE1 SLR 35 mm cameras, attending concerts of our favorite 60's band, "The Association" at least 6 times, time at "Rad-Key" and sharing the music and passion for the lifestyle of a "Parrothead" to name a few come to mind.

Of course I will miss his physical presence and our talks bringing each other up to speed regarding our families, health challenges and planning our next time to get together. I was always impressed with his priorities in life and how he never seemed to take anything for granted. I will forever be humbled by being asked to be his "Best Man" and pledge to continue to try and be the person John always thought I was.

John was a man of God and while he has left us all too soon I can't help but think it is in part so he can be sure everything will be in order for the rest of us when our time comes.

John Radke

From John's wife, Laura (Lindquist) Radke class of 71

The class of 1969 is invited to

A Celebration of Life & Memorial

for John P. Radke

a Gathering of Family and Friends

On Sarurday, August 26th 2017

11 am to 2pm

Park Place Banquets

406 W. Woodstock Street

Crystal Lake, IL

Lunch will be provided

along with music, laughter,

multimedia and more . . .

 ● RSVP Kindly REQUESTED ●

by Facebook Messenger

Email: lradke@comcast.net 

Voice Mail  1-847-639-5828