John D. Lunnon

John Durward Lunnon, 81, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

John was born on September 27, 1944, in Sibley, IA, the son of Jack and Ethel (Johannes) Lunnon. He graduated from Boylan High School, Class of 1963. In 1965, John was drafted and proudly served his country in the United States Army as an airplane mechanic.

John met his future wife, Barbara Provasi, at Boylan in 1963 and asked her for a date in 1965 while on leave from basic training. The two continued to write to each other while he was overseas and were married on February 10, 1968, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Together, John and Barb raised three children.

After returning home from Vietnam, John began working for GC Electronics in warehousing before acquiring his first business, Block Brick & Stone. Over the course of his career, he went on to own several businesses, including Concrete Lifters, Oil X-Change, and Batteries Plus. The Batteries Plus franchise offered John and his son Scott the opportunity to work together again until his retirement in 2012. John was a dedicated and hardworking man who credited the United States Army for shaping his life and work ethic.

John was talented with his hands and took great pride in maintaining and improving his homes over the years. He could fix and renovate anything. He enjoyed boating and loved his time on the Mississippi River and, more recently, on Lake Gaston in southern Virginia. John had a fondness for old Western movies and Fox News. While living in Shirland, IL, he and Barb raised and owned horses with their children. Most of all, John cherished time with his grandchildren, who brought him endless joy and laughter.

Surviving relatives include his beloved wife, Barbara Lunnon; children, Michelle (Byron) Lawson, Scott (Debra) Lunnon, and Ashley (Jeffrey) Beto; grandchildren, Nicholas, Edwin, Layla, Samuel, Ella, Mia, and Jack; siblings, Jodeen Oetter, Janice (James) Tures, Thomas (Cindy) Lunnon, and Kristine (Larry) Criss; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. John was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Ethel Lunnon; parents-in-law, Eugene and Mary Provasi; and brother-in-law, Don Oetter.

The family extends a special thank you to John’s hospice nurse, Brittany, for her exceptional kindness and care.

A burial and graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Scandinavian Cemetery in Rockford, IL. Immediately following the burial service, the family invites you to join them for a gathering to celebrate John’s life at the American Lombardi Club at 209 Olive St., Rockford, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in memory of John Lunnon to The Rosecrance Foundation to support programs and services for veterans. Gifts may be made online at give.rosecrance.org/johnlunnonmemorial, or mailed to: The Rosecrance Foundation, In Memory of John Lunnon 1021 N. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61107

Please share memories and condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.