John Regan was a good man, husband, brother and father, but you know that. He was funny, of course. He was quick to find the humor in everything, no matter how trivial, hard, or sad.

So many people knew and loved him. He was known everywhere- he had a friend in every business and home he visited. John took the time to know everyone he interacted with.

For example, the woman who worked at the gas station where John bought his pre-work cup of coffee got to know him so well in those few minutes a day that she invited him to her wedding.

John had the trust of others. Once I saw my father return a potato salad to a store with no receipt or container-- he told the man behind the counter that it had been bad when he opened it the week before. Without a blink the deli man issued him a refund and said, "Sorry John."

John built parts for tractors, toys, and traditions. He was ever ready to make a song, a game or a story about the event of the day. In Sue he had the partner who could bring his creations to life, from the rewriting and recording of the Superbowl Shuffle to include all his co-workers, to a poem stitched on a quilt to a new granddaughter, they made their love and laughter real and then shared it out.

John was like that. He created a community wherever he went. He handled the people he met warmly and gently. He shared of himself- his time, his thoughts and his attention.

John was not a proud man; he was as genuine and as respectful to the person bussing his table as he was to the person operating on his heart. All were equal in his eyes.

He taught his sons to reach out when someone needed a hand. He taught his sons to hold the door open for everyone. He taught his sons the value of a dollar-- the way it was earned, saved, spent and shared.

We've learned his lessons imperfectly, but that is always so. He could only show us the way but we had to walk our way alone. He won't share any more lessons with us, but that had to be so too, eventually.

We can do no less than try to live as he did, with love and sympathy for all we meet. And when we make a stranger laugh, help a friend in need without any thought of loss or reward, when we sit and reminisce about the best and worst of the world we live in without bitterness and delusion but see things as they are, laughable or awful though they may be-- we're living as he did, finding the story behind everyone and everything, marveling at the unlikely beginnings, the surprising middles and the sad but sweet endings all around us.

We love you John Regan. You are in our hearts and thoughts now and always. Thank you for all you did and all we do in your memory. Rest in peace.

Sue and family...our thoughts & prayers are with you...Lou, Denise & family

Sue and Family, 

Our prayers are with you now during this very sad time and always as we remember John as the good and dedicated family man he was.  We will miss John's hearty laugh and clever wit...know that he lives on forever in our hearts and through his sons and grandchildren.
Always, 
Mary Rose and Bill Grant (O'Fallon, IL)

Uncle John,
I will always remember your laugh and your patience.  I have great memories of playing at your house, cub scouts...but my fondest memory was that time you showed me your work shop in the garage where you made toys...I asked you if you were Santa, you said no..I didn't believe you and gave you the evil eye in disbelief. You just laughed and laught at the notion.  In retro spect you may not have been Santa, but you had all of the great characteristics that he had...generous, patient,jovial and always positive. I will miss you but think of you fondly.

I joked with John during Paul and Tess's wedding that he was becoming my father-in-law as well. He and Sue never made me feel any different. We will miss him dearly.

We are so sorry for your loss.  John was a great father, one who made his son's friends welcome over the years.  He was a wonderful part of all of our lives growing up.

Mrs. Regan, 
Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your husband John.  Both my wife and I, along with our family, will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.  Tom and Angela Mathias

Sue and Dwight:
Please accept our sympathies, we both remember John...

Dan and Judy, Leavenworth, KS

We will miss John's humor and laugh.  The Regan family will be in our hearts during this trying time.  John will truly be missed.

Sue and family, Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers.  May the happy memories and fun times soon be greater than the grief you feel now. With Love and fondest memories, Lee and Helen Hoover

Please accept my deepest sympathies. Sue,I know that you will miss John, as will his brothers & sisters & his cousins.

Dear Sue,
    Please accept our deepest sympathy, may the comfort of friends and family be your strength now and in the days ahead.May God's love give you strength in the loss of your husband John.  Caring thoughts are with you. Love, Jim and Eileen Tapia

OBITUARY

John Regan

Passed away on SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home

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