John Crown

John William Crown, age 91, of Tucson Arizona went to be with the Lord on March 14, 2025. He was born on March 24, 1933 in Buffalo NY to parents Marietta Berardi Crown and John Wesley Crown. His family eventually moved to the Chicago area after enjoying farm life, giving John and his two brothers a love for the outdoors. While attending Wheaton College in IL, he met Jeanette Keyser while attending youth group at West Suburban Church in Bellwood. John and Jan married August 8, 1953. They had 3 children, Patricia, Mary and John Mark.

After graduating from Wheaton College, John earned a degree from Northern Baptist Seminary and went into the ministry. He served at First Baptist Church of Downers Grove where John and Jan started a youth group and boys and girls clubs, First Baptist Church of Elmhurst, and then as Pastor at Sycamore Baptist Church (IL). As they struggled to support their growing family, John and Jan also worked on the Ski Patrol at Majestic Hills in Wisconsin, sharing the love of the outdoors with their children.

After leaving the ministry he taught Jr High School Science while attending Northern Illinois University (DeKalb) to get his Master’s Degree in Counseling. Soon he became a guidance counselor at Proviso East High School in Maywood IL. He retired from Proviso East and they moved to the front range of Colorado. After many years of enjoying downhill skiing, biking and hiking in CO, John and Jan moved to SaddleBrooke AZ.

At Vista UMC, John enjoyed teaching adult Sunday school and loved singing in the choir. He also was a part of a prison ministry. He continued his outdoor activities of skiing (including trips back to the slopes of Colorado), hiking, and bicycling. He loved music, playing the cornet as a child in church, and then taught himself piano, guitar and harmonica, all by “ear” since he’d never learned to read music. He loved playing and singing hymns. He was the king of “dad” jokes, bad puns, and always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. John and Jan were always interested in and supportive of their children and grandchildren. John leaves behind many fun memories to sustain his family.

He is survived by his loving wife Jeanette, his children Patricia (Stan) Meise of Tucson, Mary (John) Phillips of Tucson, Mark (Kim) Crown of Yorkville IL, his grandchildren Jonathan (Abby) Phillips, Sunny (Jeremy) Gable, Rebecca (Brian) Kritzberg, Robert (Samantha) Crown and 11 great grandchildren (with one great-great grandchild due soon). He is also survived by his older brother Charles (Sandra) Crown of SaddleBrooke. He was preceded in death by his parents Wesley and Mary Crown, and his brother and sister-in-law David and Alice Crown.

Services will be held on Wednesday, April 2nd at 4:00 PM at Vista de la Montoya United Methodist Church followed by a reception on the patio. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Vista de la Montoya UMC, 3001 E Miravista Lane, Tucson AZ 85739 or online at www.vistaumc.org.

Livestream link for church memorial service: vistaumc.org, click on "Watch us online." Next page will have list of videos. The service will have John's picture on it - click. It will start at 3:50pm AZ time. Photo slide show will run until service begins.