"Hal" John Harold Seyden Jr.

Hal” John Harold Seyden, Jr., 86, of Bourbonnais passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at home. Born on June 17, 1935 in San Francisco, California, Hal was the son of John Harold Sr. and Edna (Knoblach) Seyden. On July 01, 1961 he married Susan Kreamer in Bakersfield, California. Hal was a veteran of the United States Army serving in Okinawa and was a proud member of the University of California Berkeley Alumni Association. He served the US Forest Service for 45-years at various California posts. His passion for the forests of the Sierra Nevada Mountains saw him fight wildfires, join the Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol, hike the John Muir Trail, and be a thought leader in forest management. He moved to Missouri and then Illinois to support his son’s ministry efforts and to be near his grandchildren. He was a man of strong faith and conviction. A member of Gideons International for more than 50-years, a past president of the Rotary Club, and a church deacon, he also assisted with the Girls Scouts of America and volunteered as a greeter for KTA High School students. Hal enjoyed fishing, growing roses, nature photography, stargazing, teaching tree identification and cheering on his kids and grandkids at their sporting events. He is survived by his wife, Susan; son, Ben (Jessica) Seyden of Bourbonnais; daughters, Heather (Steve) Combs of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Jenni (Ray) Kosse of Colton, California; sister, Betty Roberts; and five grandchildren. Hal is preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held at St. Anne Baptist Church, 205 West Sheffield St., St Anne, IL on Saturday, January 8, 2021 at 10:00 am. Service will be at 11:00 am. Rev. Ben Seyden will officiate. Memorials can be made to the Gideons International; www.gideons.org/donate.