John Randle, 81

OAK PARK, IL – John Randle, 81, a retired York Community High School teacher, of Oak Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2025, after a courageous battle with limb-onset ALS. He is survived by his children, Emily and Vince; several nieces and nephews; and a vast extended family of friends and former students.

Born in Chicago to George and Lillian (née Duffus) Randle, John grew up on the south side in Mount Greenwood with four older brothers (George, William, Lawrence and James). Their home was so small, his crib was a dresser drawer. After graduating from Holy Ghost Fathers Mission Seminary in 1963, he contemplated the priesthood, joining a Franciscan brotherhood where he took a months-long vow of silence. After a clarifying moment in Glenwood Springs, Colorado gazing at the stars, he changed course and attended The Art Institute of Chicago on full scholarship. His first class was with experienced students sketching live models, under renowned professor Ray Yoshida. Noticing John was untrained yet promising, Yoshida reseated him in back to draw a metal pipe, every day for a month. He quickly caught up with his peers to be a well-formed illustrator, painter, and cartoonist, earning his BFA in 1963 with classmates Roger Brown and Christina Ramberg. John would say he had not been a talented student, which sheds light on the type of patient, compassionate “Everyman” educator he became.

Known as Mr. Randle or simply “Randle”, he first taught at Trinity High School in River Forest, where he met and fell in love with a guidance counselor named LaVerne (née Hartmann). After marrying and starting out in Lincoln Park, they moved to Elmhurst for his job at York Community High School, where he taught for 27 years. He introduced new courses such as Sci-Fi Illustration, and inherited a class called Art Staff. Under his wing, Art Staff was a lunch-hour refuge for right-brained students of all backgrounds. Since many more applied than could fit, Mr, Randle hand-picked the students, not necessarily based on their academic achievement or artistic merit, but who they were and could become over a given year spent together. When not on task for York’s art needs, he guided students on their own projects and fueled a rare classroom synergy, launching relationships that last to this day. Art Staffers were his greatest joy and amusement. He sponsored their scrappy intramural teams, creating a mascot (Mr. Brick) and vivid logos for the 16-Pounders (bowling), 16-Inchers (softball), Face-offs (field hockey), and The Bricks (volleyball). Mr. Randle led student trips into the city, often with his Art Department chair and close friend Charlie Laliberté. They introduced the uniqueness of small live theater and improv; tiny family-owned ethnic restaurants; used record shops and thrift stores; and how Chicago could inspire them not just as students, but as citizens. Since his children also attended York, his mentorship branched out to them and their friends, who dubbed him “Mr. Pop”. He taught everyone the secret to making this world a more interesting place, even if all you had was a creative bent, a couple bucks, and a sense of humor.

Upon retiring in 2000, John took off like a shot, exploring the world with travel buddies like Charlie, Bob Bibbee and David Liesse. Together they visited Costa Rica and Colombia, Laos and Nepal, and beyond, enjoying the architecture, cuisine and spirit of the locals. His favorites were Thailand and Turkey, Machu Picchu (Peru) and Mérida (Mexico).

John championed Chicago theater, and shared this love with his “kids” (students and children). After decades in the audience, he joined The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee. Judging over 150 equity and non-equity productions per year, he served on Hospitality team and was recognized in 2020 for 25 years of dedication. John especially loved the Neo-Futurists, and was their prime time set designer for 7 years. In July 2025, the Neo Alumni (led by Noelle Krimm) performed a “Best Of” benefit in his honor. Over 120 friends gathered to celebrate him, raising funds for ALS United Greater Chicago.

John personified selfless service. He raised his children and taught his students with unwavering commitment; cared for friends in their dying days; and turned any spotlight onto those people and causes he loved and upheld, all with a few well-placed words of wit and vision.

A memorial gathering will be on John’s favorite holiday: Groundhog Day, Monday February 2nd, 2026. The 4 p.m. service is followed by an open-house until 8 p.m., all at Wilder Mansion, 211 S. Prospect in Elmhurst.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Randle Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization in honor of his life and work: https://www.randlefoundation.org