John L. Dunkirk, Jr., 82, of Litchfield, died at 11 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at the Montgomery Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Hillsboro.
A memorial service for Mr. Dunkirk will be held Saturday, July 15, at 12 p.m. at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield. The Rev. Dennis M. Hill will officiate. Visitation will be Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Private interment service will be held at the Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield.
He was born April 4, 1941 in Hillsboro, to John L. and Vivian (Vincent) Dunkirk, Sr. He married the former Susan R. Firnhaber, on July 24, 1971, at the Challacombe House in Hillsboro, and she survives.
A 1959 graduate of Hillsboro High School, he attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, and graduated in 1964 with a B.S. in Physical Education with a minor in mathematics.
He was employed by the Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 for 38 years. He taught science classes his first year, then moved into the math department teaching algebra. He coached varsity football for a couple of years and was best known as coach of the 8th grade boys’ basketball team for Litchfield Junior High School for 24 years. He took several teams to sectional and super sectional tournaments and the coveted state tournament.
Mr. Dunkirk was known to be stern, but fair as a disciplinarian, both on the court and in the classroom. In addition to his teaching and coaching career, Mr. Dunkirk served the City of Litchfield in a civic capacity. He was appointed to serve as an Alderman for Ward 3 in June of 2000, by then Mayor William Cornman, and elected as Mayor in 2001 and served one term.
Mr. Dunkirk was a member of St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield, and the Litchfield Country Club, where he enjoyed playing golf. He enjoyed reading James Patterson novels, and traveling and taking cruises along with his wife.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Dunkirk is survived by their son, Zach (Kelly) Dunkirk of Springfield; sister, Doris Enochs, of Hillsboro; and two grandchildren, Claire and Corinne Dunkirk.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
The family asks for memorials to be directed to St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. To sign the online guestbook, light a virtual candle or for directions, visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
