John Elton "Jack" Discher

John Elton (Jack) Discher, age 90, of Geneva, Illinois passed away on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Autumn Leaves of St. Charles surrounded by his family.

Jack was born on February 21, 1930 in Flint, Michigan the son of Elton and Elvera (Peterson) Discher.

Within his first 5 years the family moved to 3 homes around Detroit.  In his youth, the family grew, moved East to New Jersey and Massachusetts, changing homes five times. The family relocated to Elmhurst, Illinois in 1943 when Jack was in eighth grade. Jack went to Immaculate Conception High School, making life long friends there, and graduated in 1948.  Afterwards, he attended Loras College from 1948 to 1949.  Next he went to the University of Michigan from 1949 to 1951.  He then went into the Army and served his country in the Army Security Agency from 1951 to 1954.  After he returned, he went to Michigan State University from 1954 until he graduated in 1956.

His first job after graduation was with Sears at Homan and Arthington, in Chicago, in the Advertising Department as a Copywriter from 1956 to 1959. There, he met and soon married, a young secretary named Mary Frances Finnegan.  While commuting from his suburban Itasca home and growing his family with Mary, he worked above the Sears, State Street store in the Sears Group Advertising Department as a Copy Chief from 1959 to 1965.  In 1965 to 1971, Jack was the Assistant Advertising Manager.  In 1971 to 1989 he was the Advertising Manager of the Sears Chicago Group until he retired.

Jack always loved to read, up until a few months ago.  He loved to play golf, had Bears season tickets with his high school friends, loved watching his son and grandchildren play soccer and even got involved in coaching.  He always enjoyed music and listening to his other son play in his blues band.  He enjoyed the great outdoors with nature hikes, visiting and studying at the Morton Arboretum, and always tending his garden.  He dearly loved all his children and grandchildren and being involved with them and their athletic, artistic and musical activities. Jack found the time to volunteer through teaching religious education and English as a second language.  He also served on many boards in his church parish, his local school district and as a Marshall at Medinah Country Club PGA tournaments.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary (Finnegan) Discher of Geneva; Children, Patrice (Larry) King of Naperville, Christopher (Debra LaPaglia) Discher of Schaumburg, Clarise (Carmen) Claps of St. Charles, Dr. Thomas (Debra) Discher of Wheaton, Terese (Robert) Mazur of Woodridge and Jenise Discher of Wauconda; 13 Grandchildren, Elise King, Adam King, Cameron Claps(Marina Salinas), Christopher Claps, Chandler Claps, Katie Discher, Emma Discher, Carson Discher, Ian Discher, Molly Mazur, Wendy Mazur, Lindsey Mazur, Sean McCormick; Brothers, Dr. David (Sally) Discher, Richard (Patricia) Discher and Sister, Joan Raia; Brothers-in-Law, Father William Finnegan, Thomas (Toni Trenticosti) Finnegan; many nieces, nephews, dear relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Mary (Heichel) Discher, and brother-in-law, Father John Finnegan.

Jack’s family would like to express their appreciation to the wonderful care extended to Jack and his family by the Autumn Leaves staff, along with the loving care provided by Harbor Light Hospice.  The family feels blessed to have had this support and love.

Services will be held privately at the Malone Funeral Home at 324 E. State Street, Geneva, Illinois with Father William Finnegan officiating.  

Burial will be private at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

For information, call 630-232-8233 or visit malonefh.com

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