Obituary
John M. Ciesla of Berryville, Arkansas was born November 7, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. John passed away on February 16, 2021, in Berryville at his home. He received a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Sherwood Conservatory of Music (Chicago, IL) and a master's degree in Recreational Science from the University of Illinois(Champaign, IL). He also served in the Airforce and belonged to the Air Force
Band, playing the flute and piccolo at Chanute AFB (Rantoul, IL). John and his wife Venita "Winnie" (deceased) were owners of Reading Express Bookstore in Farmington Hills, MI, where he also performed at a country club for 19 years. John worked at the Salvation Army as Director for Parks and Recreation in South Bend, IN. 20 years ago, John and Winnie moved to Berryville.
Over the years, audiences enjoyed his talent and great performances, watching him give it his all for each event. His performances were full of variety, making music appear as art in action! Making people laugh and have fun, John was a talented showman and loved to tell jokes. His life's work with mentally disabled adults started decades ago working at the Park District in Chicago, IL. He continued this passion in Berryville by performing for the Learning Activities Center. He treated the staff and clients to two parties each year, one for St. Patrick's Day and the other for Halloween. John entertained on St. Patrick's Day for the Carroll County Senior Activity & Wellness Center. He once performed for a Catholic Sister retirement home, and the nuns enjoyed dancing to his music.
Even though John and Winnie were not originally from Berryville, he gave back to the community in many ways. He loved the people of Berryville, often giving hugs to strangers. It was a joy to see John in his element, generously giving himself and talent to others. Being there for those in need and compassionately supporting his community is how he loved to live and what we will remember and miss.
John is survived by his sister Linda Ingaldson and her husband Ben; brother Louis Ciesla; niece Christine Ingaldson; partner Susette Sigmon; and his three cats with three eyes.
He was preceded in death by his wife Venita Ciesla (Von Behren); father Edward Ciesla and mother Helen M. Ciesla (Kupiec); niece Mary Lynn Ingaldson; and beloved Aunt Mary Rog.
No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Please send online condolences to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. Contributions to the following organizations in memory of John are listed below and very much appreciated:
Ozarks Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
https://www.opyo.org/sponsorship-form.html
CIESLA, JOHN MARION
SGT US AIR FORCE
VIETNAM
DATE OF BIRTH: 11/07/1943
DATE OF DEATH: 02/16/2021
BURIED AT: SECTION 10 ROW L SITE 2
FORT SHERIDAN NATIONAL CEMETERY
VATNER RD FORT SHERIDAN, IL 60037-0000
John M. Ciesla of Berryville, Arkansas was born November 7, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. John passed away on February 16, 2021, in Berryville at his home. He received a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Sherwood Conservatory of Music (Chicago, IL) and a master's degree in Recreational Science from the University of Illinois(Champaign, IL). He also served in the Airforce and belonged to the Air Force
Band, playing the flute and piccolo at Chanute AFB (Rantoul, IL). John and his wife Venita "Winnie" (deceased) were owners of Reading Express Bookstore in Farmington Hills, MI, where he also performed at a country club for 19 years. John worked at the Salvation Army as Director for Parks and Recreation in South Bend, IN. 20 years ago, John and Winnie moved to Berryville.
Over the years, audiences enjoyed his talent and great performances, watching him give it his all for each event. His performances were full of variety, making music appear as art in action! Making people laugh and have fun, John was a talented showman and loved to tell jokes. His life's work with mentally disabled adults started decades ago working at the Park District in Chicago, IL. He continued this passion in Berryville by performing for the Learning Activities Center. He treated the staff and clients to two parties each year, one for St. Patrick's Day and the other for Halloween. John entertained on St. Patrick's Day for the Carroll County Senior Activity & Wellness Center. He once performed for a Catholic Sister retirement home, and the nuns enjoyed dancing to his music.
Even though John and Winnie were not originally from Berryville, he gave back to the community in many ways. He loved the people of Berryville, often giving hugs to strangers. It was a joy to see John in his element, generously giving himself and talent to others. Being there for those in need and compassionately supporting his community is how he loved to live and what we will remember and miss.
John is survived by his sister Linda Ingaldson and her husband Ben; brother Louis Ciesla; niece Christine Ingaldson; partner Susette Sigmon; and his three cats with three eyes.
He was preceded in death by his wife Venita Ciesla (Von Behren); father Edward Ciesla and mother Helen M. Ciesla (Kupiec); niece Mary Lynn Ingaldson; and beloved Aunt Mary Rog.
No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Please send online condolences to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. Contributions to the following organizations in memory of John are listed below and very much appreciated:
Ozarks Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
https://www.opyo.org/sponsorship-form.html
CIESLA, JOHN MARION
SGT US AIR FORCE
VIETNAM
DATE OF BIRTH: 11/07/1943
DATE OF DEATH: 02/16/2021
BURIED AT: SECTION 10 ROW L SITE 2
FORT SHERIDAN NATIONAL CEMETERY
VATNER RD FORT SHERIDAN, IL 60037-0000
Obituary
John M. Ciesla of Berryville, Arkansas was born November 7, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. John passed away on February 16, 2021, in Berryville at his home. He received a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Sherwood Conservatory of Music (Chicago, IL) and a master's degree in Recreational Science from the University of Illinois(Champaign, IL). He also served in the Airforce and belonged to the Air Force
Band, playing the flute and piccolo at Chanute AFB (Rantoul, IL). John and his wife Venita "Winnie" (deceased) were owners of Reading Express Bookstore in Farmington Hills, MI, where he also performed at a country club for 19 years. John worked at the Salvation Army as Director for Parks and Recreation in South Bend, IN. 20 years ago, John and Winnie moved to Berryville.
Over the years, audiences enjoyed his talent and great performances, watching him give it his all for each event. His performances were full of variety, making music appear as art in action! Making people laugh and have fun, John was a talented showman and loved to tell jokes. His life's work with mentally disabled adults started decades ago working at the Park District in Chicago, IL. He continued this passion in Berryville by performing for the Learning Activities Center. He treated the staff and clients to two parties each year, one for St. Patrick's Day and the other for Halloween. John entertained on St. Patrick's Day for the Carroll County Senior Activity & Wellness Center. He once performed for a Catholic Sister retirement home, and the nuns enjoyed dancing to his music.
Even though John and Winnie were not originally from Berryville, he gave back to the community in many ways. He loved the people of Berryville, often giving hugs to strangers. It was a joy to see John in his element, generously giving himself and talent to others. Being there for those in need and compassionately supporting his community is how he loved to live and what we will remember and miss.
John is survived by his sister Linda Ingaldson and her husband Ben; brother Louis Ciesla; niece Christine Ingaldson; partner Susette Sigmon; and his three cats with three eyes.
He was preceded in death by his wife Venita Ciesla (Von Behren); father Edward Ciesla and mother Helen M. Ciesla (Kupiec); niece Mary Lynn Ingaldson; and beloved Aunt Mary Rog.
No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Please send online condolences to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. Contributions to the following organizations in memory of John are listed below and very much appreciated:
Ozarks Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
https://www.opyo.org/sponsorship-form.html
CIESLA, JOHN MARION
SGT US AIR FORCE
VIETNAM
DATE OF BIRTH: 11/07/1943
DATE OF DEATH: 02/16/2021
BURIED AT: SECTION 10 ROW L SITE 2
FORT SHERIDAN NATIONAL CEMETERY
VATNER RD FORT SHERIDAN, IL 60037-0000
John M. Ciesla of Berryville, Arkansas was born November 7, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. John passed away on February 16, 2021, in Berryville at his home. He received a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Sherwood Conservatory of Music (Chicago, IL) and a master's degree in Recreational Science from the University of Illinois(Champaign, IL). He also served in the Airforce and belonged to the Air Force
Band, playing the flute and piccolo at Chanute AFB (Rantoul, IL). John and his wife Venita "Winnie" (deceased) were owners of Reading Express Bookstore in Farmington Hills, MI, where he also performed at a country club for 19 years. John worked at the Salvation Army as Director for Parks and Recreation in South Bend, IN. 20 years ago, John and Winnie moved to Berryville.
Over the years, audiences enjoyed his talent and great performances, watching him give it his all for each event. His performances were full of variety, making music appear as art in action! Making people laugh and have fun, John was a talented showman and loved to tell jokes. His life's work with mentally disabled adults started decades ago working at the Park District in Chicago, IL. He continued this passion in Berryville by performing for the Learning Activities Center. He treated the staff and clients to two parties each year, one for St. Patrick's Day and the other for Halloween. John entertained on St. Patrick's Day for the Carroll County Senior Activity & Wellness Center. He once performed for a Catholic Sister retirement home, and the nuns enjoyed dancing to his music.
Even though John and Winnie were not originally from Berryville, he gave back to the community in many ways. He loved the people of Berryville, often giving hugs to strangers. It was a joy to see John in his element, generously giving himself and talent to others. Being there for those in need and compassionately supporting his community is how he loved to live and what we will remember and miss.
John is survived by his sister Linda Ingaldson and her husband Ben; brother Louis Ciesla; niece Christine Ingaldson; partner Susette Sigmon; and his three cats with three eyes.
He was preceded in death by his wife Venita Ciesla (Von Behren); father Edward Ciesla and mother Helen M. Ciesla (Kupiec); niece Mary Lynn Ingaldson; and beloved Aunt Mary Rog.
No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Please send online condolences to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. Contributions to the following organizations in memory of John are listed below and very much appreciated:
Ozarks Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
https://www.opyo.org/sponsorship-form.html
CIESLA, JOHN MARION
SGT US AIR FORCE
VIETNAM
DATE OF BIRTH: 11/07/1943
DATE OF DEATH: 02/16/2021
BURIED AT: SECTION 10 ROW L SITE 2
FORT SHERIDAN NATIONAL CEMETERY
VATNER RD FORT SHERIDAN, IL 60037-0000
Inscription
SGT US AIR FORCE
VIETNAM
Gravesite Details
Interment 10:00 AM Monday July 12 2021
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