John Fillman

John B. Fillman

"The Flying Farmer"

Age 90, of Mazon, passed away Monday, September 7, 2009 at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

John was born July 6, 1919 on the Fillman family farm in Dexter, Iowa to William L. Fillman and Eva (Nelson) Fillman. The family moved to rural Mazon in the early 1920s. John was educated in country schools and graduated from Mazon High School with the class of 1937 and later attended Purdue University.

As a young man John could be seen driving a milk truck for Pure Milk Company delivering to the Chicago suburbs and on his way home to Mazon he spent his pay at the Joliet airport learning to fly private aircraft. John courted his bride to be, Helen Pederson of Madison, Wisconsin in an airplane. They were married in February of 1947.

John was a successful farmer engaging in dairy farming and later raising cattle and hogs. He enjoyed volunteer work of all types while raising his family, serving as President of the Mazon Grade School Board and several positions with the Mazon United Church of Christ.

John had an airplane landing strip at the farm in Mazon and after earning his instructor's license had many students. He also used the plane for business trips as a director of Illinois Farm Supply (FS) and Illinois Grain Corporation which he served for 28 years.

After retiring from farming John was an expediter, who was responsible for getting the school buses ready each morning and also drove for 12 years with the Olson Bus Company. He continued his volunteer work becoming active in the Food Resource Bank and other church related causes. John also took up the hobby of quilting and produced many quilts for family and friends.

At his 90th birthday party this past July, John was honored to receive over 150 family members and friends for an afternoon of celebration.

John B. Fillman is survived by his wife Helen; three children: William (Teresa) Fillman; Kristin (Steve) Ciesemier; and Jay (Phyllis) Fillman; and six (6) grandchildren: Jonathan, Adam and Emily Fillman, Kali Ciesmeier, and Andrew and Peter Fillman.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 11th from 9:00 AM until time of services 11:00 AM at the Mazon United Church of Christ. A private family burial service will then be held later in the day at Braceville-Gardner Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in the name of John Fillman to the Mazon United Church of Christ, 806 Park Street, P.O. Box 266, Mazon, IL 60444

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. of Coal City, Gardner and Morris. (815/942-2500)