John Felix Sefick

John Felix Sefick passed away on January 9, 2017 from respiratory failure due to complications from cancer. John was born June 8, 1944 in Springfield, Illinois, to parents Helen and Felix Sefick. He was a second generation American, and grew up surrounded by his large Italian-American (Galassi) and Polish-American (Sefick) families in the Devereaux Heights area of Springfield. In 1967, John was drafted. He served in the U.S. Army Infantry in Vietnam. He met his wife, Gladys, while he was working in stage design and production in Los Angeles, California. Their daughter, Rachel, was born there in 1983. John worked in various technical theatrical production and design capacities, most notably for the Company Theatre and Provisional Theatre in Los Angeles CA, Sangamon State Auditorium in Springfield IL, and Wenatchee High School Auditorium in Wenatchee, WA. He was a proud IATSE member. John enjoyed interacting with all kinds of people. No matter what he faced, he had the courage and strength to do the right thing. His family will miss his giving spirit, his unfailing sense of fun, his innovative problem solving, and the joy he took in fishing and hunting. John's family expresses heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff members of Central Washington Hospital and the Confluence Medical Clinic for their kindness and respectful care. John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Gladys of Wenatchee, WA and his daughter, Rachel of Lummi Island, WA. He is also survived by several aunts and numerous cousins in Illinois, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews in Washington State. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. The visitation will begin with a prayer service. Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 20, 2017 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home with Celebrant Judy Woerner, officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery, where military honors will be provided. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.