Obituaries
Obituary: John Kish
He is remembered as a man of profound courage, driven by an adventurous heart and grounded in a steadfast faith.
Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.
John Kish
Late John Kish (Janos Kiss) of Joliet, Illinois, passed away on Saturday afternoon, the 3rd of May, 2025, at the age of 89, after several months of declining health. He died peacefully with his beloved wife Mary Ann of 64 years and his family by his side.
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He was born in Zalaszanto, Hungary on the 29th of April, 1936, to the late Janos and Irma (Fekete) Kiss as the middle child of three. There, he attended military school and worked at the boat manufacturer in Budapest. At the end the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, he immigrated to the United States along with friends and settled in Joliet, Illinois.
John married his "Dolly” on the 16th of July, 1960 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Joliet and they had three children. He was a former employee at Universal Steel, Caterpillar Inc., and then Electromotive in LaGrange, where he retired after many years of service as an electrician.
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John will be remembered for his on the go personality. He was an avid gardener, especially of peppers, and he enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to travel during summers, and took his children and then his grandchildren throughout the United States, and even to his home country. He also maintained a large, pristine, beer can collection and was a member of the Prison City Chapter of BCCA. He was also a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Shorewood, Illinois.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Janos and Irma Kiss; his brother, Lajos Kiss; and a nephew, Jozsa of Hungary.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Smith); sons, John Kish and Andrew Kish; daughter, Kathleen (Bud) White; granddaughters, Jennifer (Seth) Williams and Jasmine Kish; and great-grandchildren, Abram, Evelyn, Silas, and Asa. John is also survived by his sister, Elona, two nieces, and two nephews who all reside in Hungary.
Per his request, John will be cremated with private family services.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
