John "Jack" T. Hurley

John "Jack" T. Hurley, 82, died at 5:12 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2015 at Memorial Medical Center. Jack was born December 6, 1932 to John P. Hurley and Mary A. (Cavanaugh) Hurley. He was preceded in death by his dear sister Marilyn Merris. On January 21, 1960, Jack married Carol Lynn Kriener, with whom he had three children: Kathleen (married to Richard Blackmer), Eileen (married to Mark Waninger), and Patrick (married to Teresa Shaw). Jack has one grandson, Sean Liam Blackmer. Jack studied philosophy and theology, and then completed graduate studies in chemistry and education. He taught math and physics at New Berlin High School and then went on to be a chemistry professor at Springfield College in Illinois. When the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency was founded in 1970, Jack went to work as a chemist in their lab, where he became lab manager, remaining until his retirement in 1997. Always committed to serving others, Jack spent time during retirement volunteering with St. Martin de Porres, where he distributed food and clothing to the needy. Jack will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched, especially by his family, who can only aspire to the strength, love, faith, and kindness that he taught through his example. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2015 at Christ the King Parish, 1930 Barberry, Springfield, with the Rev. Joseph R. Ring celebrant. The burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Illinois College-Marilyn Merris Memorial Scholarship Fund, Attn: Alumni Office, 1101 W. College, Jacksonville, IL 62650; St. Martin De Porres, 1725 South Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL 62703; or a charity of the donor's choice.