John F. Early, 78, of Elgin, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. John was born on March 3, 1946 in Wilkes Barre, PA the son of Colonel John A. & Helen T. (Moore) Early. John served in the military (Army) and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, among other places.

He was a founding partner of the law firm Early, Tousey, Wlodek, Wong & Early, LLP in the city of Elgin, Kane County, IL and was a highly respected attorney by his colleagues and the community at large in his legal career and with his community involvement. John was a former Assistant State's Attorney in Kane County. He served as the Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Kane County Bar Association (1997-2003). He also served in the assembly and committees of the Illinois State Bar Association.

John was a devoted Illini fan, having received both his Bachelor of Arts in 1968 and Juris Doctorate in 1971 from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and spent many weekends with family and friends traveling back to U of I as a football season ticket holder and many hours watching the Illini play basketball (ILL-INI!) He was an avid tennis player in his youth and enjoyed weekend matches with friends later in life. He loved reading and was a wealth of knowledge on many varied topics. He was a great storyteller and loved reminiscing with friends and family over daily lunches at Paul’s Family Restaurant, Carmina’s, Jimmy’s Char House, The Skillet, and other eateries that made it into the weekly lunch rotation. He was an ardent foodie and fine dining was his ultimate pleasure.

John’s sense of adventure was captured at a young age, starting with his father being stationed in many places including Taiwan, San Francisco, and Ohio. He shared his love of travel with his family and their adventures included tours of Ireland, Italy, and England, boating in the British Virgin Islands, taking a train trip west to California, and driving cross country many times. His happy places were the family home in Galena, IL, Disney World, and St. Petes Beach, FL where he spent many wonderful times with family and extended family.

Family was everything to John and many friends were inducted into that relationship over the years. He is survived by his loving wife Mary (Slonina); his children John A. Early, Meghan E. Early, Catie H. Early (Kai Bandziukas); his grandchildren, A.J. Early, Archer Early, Ella Thompson, Ozzie Thompson, and Josephine Early; former son-in-law Nicolas Thompson and former daughter-in-law Rebecca Early; his brother Tony (Georgine), his sister Kathy, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law (Helen and Mitchell Slonina), and his sister (Patricia Lynch).

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 215 Thomas More Dr., Elgin. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4-8 PM in the Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St., with Military Honors being presented at 6:00 PM. There will also be visitation at the church on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in John’s name to Anderson Humane (formerly Anderson Animal Shelter) of South Elgin.