John A. Lesmeister

John A. Lesmeister 77, of Bonfield, passed away December 20th, 2021, at Citadel of Kankakee. He was born August 20th, 1944, in Hammond, IN., the son of John O. and Rose (Dietrich) Lesmeister. John was an operating engineer and a lifetime member of IUOE Local 150. He enjoyed model railroading, metal working, unplugged wood working, resin casting, and tinkering with anything mechanical. He scratch built a model of the “Minnie Lilly” steamboat which is displayed in the Kankakee County Historical Society. He enjoyed writing local interest books, one of which was published, titled “Stages”. He is survived by his wife Karen (nee Kuipers), his daughters; Nicole & Chijioke Ilochonwu of Lansing, IL and Carolyn & Joshua Burkholder of Indianapolis, 2 sisters; Marilynn Thompson of Dyer, IN and Lois Lessner of Calumet City, IL, his grandchildren; Ijeoma, Emeka, Obi, Ikem, and Xavier, and several nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held Wednesday December 29, 2021, from 10am until the funeral service at noon at Jensen Funeral Home in Kankakee. Pastor Joseph Johnson will officiate. Burial will be at Bonfield Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Vitas Hospice, Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL.; Historical Construction Equipment Association, Bowling Green, Ohio; or Calumet City IL. Historical Society.