Born at the turn of the century on a farm near Breese, Illinois, John Joseph Von Bokel was the fourth child of nine children born to John and Mary (Kluemke) Von Bokel. John mother Mary was a first generation American having arrived from Germany in 1887. John's paternal grandfather Bernard Von Bokel was also a first generation American arriving from Germany in 1855 at the age of 13. Since German was spoken in the home as the primary language, John Joseph would perfect his English while attending elementary school.

Upon the completion of the sixth grade, John would return to work on his father John Sr.'s farm. This was common practice during this era as the majority of the work on the farm in the early part of the twentieth century was done by hand and many hands were needed.

Born at the beginning of the twentieth century John would witness a revolution in technology. After his father sold his horse, John decided it was time to seek his fortune. Seeking a life off the farm, John would embrace this new technology and attended school in Kansas City to learn to work on the growing popular automobiles. Upon completion of mechanic school, John returned to southern Illinois to seek employment as an automobile mechanic. He would soon meet, fall in love, and marry Marie "Dink" O'Brien on October 15, 1923.

John would remain married to Dink until his death in January of 1974. During their marriage of over fifty years, John and Dink would have three children Dorothy on May 19, 1924, Pat on August 27, 1927, and Billie Sue "Bee" in November 13, 1945.

In 1929 the stock market would crash and the Great Depression would follow. Although times were difficult, John always managed to provide for his family through his work as a mechanic in his private garage in Carlyle, Illinois. Although these were difficult times, he and wife Dink would always provide for those left fortunate such as providing a meal for the hungry hobos who would pass through town.

With the advent of World War II and rationing, John would seek employment with the state of Illinois, working first in East Saint Louis and later in Springfield, Illinois as a mechanic. Upon the end of World War II, he and his family would return to Carlyle, Illinois where they would purchase a home on Franklin and build a small shop on the rear of the lot for John to repair vehicles and make a living. John would live the rest of his life in this home.

In his fifties John secured employment with the State of Illinois driving and maintaining the state highways around Carlyle. He would also be elected numerous times to the office of township supervisor for Carlyle. He served in this position until his death in 1974.

Although many would consider John Von Bokel to be an average person, in many respects he was extremely extraordinary. Although John would work very hard throughout his life, his focus was never on the accumulation of great wealth. He would seek joy through his relationships with his family and friends not through the accumulation of materialistic possessions. John seldom complained and always projected optimism. If he did not feel well, you would never know it as John was not one to place his burdens on others. John was a kind and loving person never seeking the spot light; but always shining the light on others. John was a good listener and a kind man. He dearly loved his wife, daughters and grandchildren as they did him. If one measures wealth in kindness and good deeds for others, John would be considered a very wealthy man. There was a tremendous void left upon John's passing. He was in deed a special gift from God to all whose lives he touched.