In Memory

Jack Kriel

Jack Kriel

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/marinij/obituary.aspx?n=jack-d-kriel&pid=197028458&fhid=30990



 
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11/09/20 07:08 PM #1    

Joe Behm

John “Jack” Drewes Kriel, Jr., 77, of Springfield, IL, died on October 24, 2020, at Lincolnshire Place Memory Care Residence in Decatur due to the effects of Parkinson’s Disease and associated dementia.

Jack was born on February 12, 1943, in San Francisco, CA, the oldest son of John D. and Edna Baccaglio Kriel. He married Penny Wollan of Springfield on November 24, 1984, in Oakland, CA.

After spending his early years in the San Francisco Bay Area and New Orleans, Jack made the Bay Area his home, and later moved to Springfield in 1993. He graduated from Marin Catholic High School, attended St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, CA, and graduated from San Francisco State University. While in school, he spent two summers doing service work in Central Mexico with AMIGOS, and he fell in love with Mexican culture, food, and language. 

After colorful and varied work experiences, Jack settled on construction, finally opening his own business, Jack Kriel Construction. He encapsulated his life in six words: “Went to Seminary, became a carpenter.” A client once commented, “He’s not a carpenter, he’s a craftsman.” Porches, decks, and remodels were his favorite projects. 

A lover of language and words, Jack often had a dictionary handy to look up origins in a pinch. He picked up storytelling in Springfield and told tales in the family tent at the Illinois State Fair. He loved philosophy and poetry, and he wrote almost strictly in lower-case, as his favorite poet e.e. cummings did. His wit was sharp and his jokes were playful. After his very favorite coffee mug broke in half top to bottom, he responded, “Well, guess I’ll just drink half a cup now!” He had a warm smile and always made us laugh. His skills in the kitchen delighted and satisfied many a hungry belly. He took great care in all he did.

Jack engaged in the several communities he was a part of: he was an on-site supervisor of the volunteer team to finish the interior of the building of Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation in 1996 and continued maintaining church buildings and grounds as part of the ALUUC Facilities Committee. He danced with the Springfield International Folk Dancers. He was Co-Build-Coordinator on the Springfield area’s first interfaith Habitat for Humanity build known as the House of Abraham. For many years, Jack served on the Board of Directors of the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association. 

A lifetime achievement came early when in 1970, Jack and a buddy bicycled from Savannah, Georgia to San Francisco. Oh, the stories that came from that ride.

Family and friends were the foundation of Jack’s life. Being a father was one of his greatest joys. Those who love and remember him fondly (as Papa, Papa Jack, or Burgie) include Penny Wollan-Kriel; son, John Langston Kriel (fiancée Shawn Sanes) of Asheville, NC; daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Kriel, who returned to Springfield to watch over her parents during Covid-19; brother, Nick (Lea) Kriel, of Chico, CA; in-laws, Betsy Wollan, Hal Gibbons, Judy Wollan, and Otis (Jane Mulder) Wollan. He was always great with kids and was a kind and beloved uncle to 22 nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents; sister, Janetta; and brother, Peter; as well as in-laws, Louise and Larry Wollan, Larry Wollan Jr., Jackie Wollan Gibbons, Denny Wollan, and Reggie Dawes.

Cremation will be provided by Lincoln Land Cremation Society. 

A Celebration of Life will be held after Covid-19, when we all can safely gather, laugh, tell stories, eat pie, and dance together once again. 

Donations in Jack’s memory can be made to The Joy of Movement - Dance for Parkinson’s (https://thejoyofmovement.org/donate), Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County (http://www.habitatsangamon.com/donate), and Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation (https://www.aluuc.org/donation-form). 

A special thank you from Jack’s family goes to the Safe Haven Hospice and Lincolnshire Place teams for treating him with the care, dignity, respect, and friendship which embraced him at the end of his life.John “Jack” Drewes Kriel, Jr., 77, of Springfield, IL, died on October 24, 2020, at Lincolnshire Place Memory Care Residence in Decatur due to the effects of Parkinson’s Disease and associated dementia.

 


11/10/20 05:47 AM #2    

Larry Selna

Jack was a great/fun guy!  I remember him from the football field and his Rebel cry!!!

God bless you Jack and your family!

 


11/10/20 08:25 AM #3    

Suzanne Adam (Gordon)

I'm sad to hear of his passing.


11/10/20 08:48 AM #4    

Carole Perelli-Minetti (Campagna)

Will always recall Jack as a kind, soft-spoken, genuine man. Rest In Peace.

 

 


11/10/20 01:48 PM #5    

Tom O'Doul

RIP Jack.  Will always remember the "rebel yell" and the nickname "Dixie".  One of the good guys.


11/10/20 03:18 PM #6    

Peter Bohan

I remember when I was a junior and tried out for the varsity football team with no experience.. Jack knocked me

down and I never got back up. After that he let out his rebel yell and I thought: "I don't want to play football ever again!"  


11/11/20 03:50 PM #7    

Spencer Merryman

I remember Jack well. He was such a nice person. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. 


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