3-28-2024 11:00pm

John Koplos raised his family in rural Roscoe

Michael McGinnis Editor

John Koplos (1930 - 2024)

John Joseph Koplos (November 7, 1930 - March 24, 2024) was born in Rockford to Joseph and Dena Koplos, both of Greece. He was raised in Rockford on Rural Street and attended East High School, class of 1948. He grew up working in his family’s dry cleaning business, Phoenix Cleaners, and was entrusted with many roles from running delivery routes to serving as president.

John married Jeanne Clara Stang on October 9, 1954.

John and Jeanne raised their family in rural Roscoe, IL for 46 years enjoying their small Crockett Hill Farm. He spent summers being a little league baseball coach while his sons were young and was a committed school board member at Kinnikinnick Grade School.

Of all of his travels, his most cherished trip was to Greece with his wife and children, visiting his ancestral country; seeing his father’s birth home in Koufopoulo and his mother’s town of Filiatra in the Greek Peloponnese; and meeting, eating, and drinking with numerous relatives.

He loved his five children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. And we loved him, too.

Dad to: Jonathan Koplos (Dina Mesbah) of Boston, MA; Jennifer Koplos Andreen of Rockford; Jessica Koplos (Roni Jules) of Oregon House, CA; Joel Koplos of Chicago; Johanna Koplos (Bradly Boyd) of Mishawaka, IN.

Papou to: Erica Dahlmeier (Michael Curran), Benjamin Dahlmeier, Christopher Gregory, Catherine Rankin (Brandon Rankin), Pardis Koplos, and Ariella Dahlmeier

John was predeceased by his wife, Jeanne; his son-in-law, Ralph Andreen; siblings, Robert Koplos, Bea Lenzini, and Pauline Kostantacos. He was beloved by his twenty-one nieces and nephews (and their families) from the Koplos, Lenzini, Kostantacos, Linderoth, and Stang families. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Rolf Stang, a life-long friend.

He treasured his relationships with special cousins, extended family, and dear friends. “If you met John, you were his friend.” His good-natured outlook on life made it easy to smile with him while in his endearing company. His place is empty.

There will be a memorial gathering at a later date.

His family greatly appreciates all of the caring people at both Heritage Woods and Ascension Living Saint Anne Place.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church or Rockford Land Institute.