Obituaries
Obituary: John R. “Jack” Ayers
John's greatest passion was for his beloved wife of 56 years, Bernadette and he enjoyed sharing the story of how they first met.
Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.
John R. “Jack” Ayers
John R. “Jack” Ayers, age 90, of Plainfield, IL, passed away August 5, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on January 6, 1935 in Chicago, IL, the son of John and Cora Ayers.
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John grew up in Chicago and attended Yale Elementary, St. Carthage, and Parker High School. After high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He worked as a truck driver for ETMF and retired from Roadway Express. During retirement, he found fulfillment in being a groundskeeper for the Naperville Golf Course.
John was a member of St. Mary Immaculate Parish, in Plainfield, since 1972. He loved to golf, enjoyed a great suspense novel, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
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John’s greatest passion was for his beloved wife of 56 years, Bernadette. He enjoyed sharing the story of how they first met. When he saw her standing at the jukebox with her long black hair and pretty blue dress at Cloud 9 in Chicago, he knew it was love at first site. He enjoyed the many years of traveling, laughter, playing cards with their friends, and spending winters in Arizona with her. He has been living with a broken heart since her passing in 2015.
John is survived by his three devoted daughters, Kimberly Sarcletti, Kelly Ayers, Teriann (Scott) Friedrickson; loving grandchildren, Rachel (Christopher) Reardon, Nicholas (fiancée Hope Fickett) Sarcletti, John, Samantha, and Michael Girard; adoring great grandchildren, Avery, Connor, and Owen Reardon; dear brother, David Ayers; special sister, Darlene (Donald) Bermingham; sister in-law, Joanne Ayers; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends also survive.
He is preceded in death his beloved wife, Bernadette Ayers; his parents; granddaughter, Michelle Sarcletti; and brother, Ronald Ayers.
Visitation for John R. Ayers will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will begin at 9:30 a.m., August 13, 2025 from the funeral home to St. Mary Immaculate Parish, 15629 Rte 59, Plainfield, IL where a Mass of Catholic Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Joliet.
Memorial donations may be made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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 an online condolence.
