A John Nastari

Agostino Anthony "John" Nastari, a resident of Rockford, IL, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 23, 2026, at Wesley Willows Nursing Center after a short illness. John was born on November 22, 1930, in San Francisco, CA, to Michael and Eda Gregory Nastari. On June 3, 1951, John married Jackwelyn L. Yenter in Stockton, CA. John spent his life as a pastor and accomplished violinist. He is a graduate of University of Pacific in Stockton, CA, and the Berkley Baptist Divinity School in Berkley, CA. Before his call to the ministry, he performed with the San Francisco Company orchestra, the Bach Festival in Carmel, CA, and performed at concerts across the nation as a violin soloist.Upon graduation from seminary, John pastored American Baptist churches in Santa Clara, CA, Chicago, IL, and the First Baptist Church of Portland, OR. He was twice invited by President Nixon to preach at the White House and was a member of the Board of Trustees of Linfield College. After his move to Rockford, IL, he taught adult Bible Study at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

John was always active in community affairs, serving on the city council of Santa Clara, CA, chairman of the Planning Committee for Happy Valley, OR, the Redmond, OR, Planning Commision, the Redmond Habitat for Humanity board, and was chairman of the ARC Eagle Crest, OR.

John and Jackie had four children and four grandchildren. After Jackie's death in 2015, John moved to Rockford, IL, where he married Neva Lorraine "Lori" (Davis) Morse in February 2017. Their love of music brought them together, and they spent much of their past eight years performing at home concerts and at their church.

Predeceased were his wife, Jackwelyn Nastari of 64 years, parents Michael and Eda Nastari, and brother, Anthony Nastari.

John is survived by his wife, Lori Nastari; his children, Michael (Patty) Nastari of Portland, OR, Mark (Kesha) Nastari of Portland, OR, Paul Nastari of Redmond, OR, and Lynn Nastari Johns (Wes) of Redmond, OR; four grandchildren; as well as stepchildren, Pam (Denny) Harms of Rockford, IL, and Daniel (Karen) Morse of Rockford, IL, and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 2 at 2:00 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2821 N Bell School Rd, Rockford, IL 61107 with a visitation beginning at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Westminster Presbyterian Church.