Obituary: John Edward Thomas “Jack” Softcheck

Obituary published and funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory

John Edward Thomas “Jack” Softcheck

John Edward Thomas “Jack” Softcheck, of Joliet ,IL, who came into this world March 31, 1922, went to his eternal rest October 16, 2020, at the age of 98. His death came from complications of several health issues and was not COVID related, his family noted.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kitty Kilgallen Softcheck in 2008, whom he married in 1947, and his infant daughter Jane in 1956.

He leaves a large and loving family, including his sister Joan McManamon of Altadena, CA; ten children and their spouses, Mary Catherine “Mary Kay” Blake of Arlington, VA, Joanne Softcheck of Joliet, John James "MacArthur" (Karen) Softcheck of Boynton Beach, FL, Barbara (Alan) Kaplan of Delhi, NY, Daniel James (Mary Sue) Softcheck of Joliet, Jeanne (José) Díaz of Gainesville, FL, Thomas Joseph Softcheck of Joliet, Richard Roque Softcheck of Joliet, Margaret Mary “Mimi” (Richard Scott) Mawson of Bellingham, WA, and Brian (Diana) Softcheck of Camano Island, WA. He also is survived by 15 grandchildren, John Thomas (Gil) Softcheck of Fairhaven, MA, Jeffrey Robert (Theresa) Softcheck of Elmhurst, IL, Sean Daniel Softcheck of Toronto, Canada, Suzanne Margaret Softcheck of Chicago, Patrick Stephen Softcheck of Phoenix, AZ, Damon James Softcheck of Mesa, AZ, Brendan Michael Softcheck of Seattle, WA, Jordan Chase Díaz, Kieran Blake Díaz and Gavin Kai (Henna) Díaz of Gainesville, FL, Ryan Thomas Softcheck of Normal, IL, Catherine Haleh Mawson of Seattle, Theodore “Teddy” David Softcheck of San Francisco, CA, Jack Bain Softcheck of New Haven, CT, and Brian Boru Softcheck of Waianae, Hawaii. One great-grandchild also survives, Faith McKenna Softcheck of Shorewood, IL, as do his two nieces and five nephews, Dr. Rita (Ernie Parker) McManamon of Decatur, GA, Michael (Cristina) McManamon of Fremont, CA, Jim McManamon of Murrieta, CA, Kevin (Nathalie) McManamon of San Jose, CA, Dennis (Elia) McManamon of Glendale, AZ, Tom McManamon of Bangkok, Thailand, and Eileen McManamon of Lake Forest, CA, along with three great-nieces and four great-nephews, Christopher, Lisa, Jennifer, Matthew, Trevor, Melanie and Luke McManamon. Two stepgranddaughters, Lindsay O'Neill McCabe and Danielle O'Neill, also survive, as do two stepgreat-grandchildren, Madison McCabe and Tyler Runyon. Also surviving are his loving former daughter-in-law, Mary Lynn (Mark) Odenthal and his devoted caregiver of the past several years, Jutta Sonnefeldt.

Born in Vanderbilt, PA, John moved with his parents, John T. and Julia (nee Pollack) Softcheck, to Chicago at a young age and attended St. Rita's High School and Loyola University in Chicago, where he received both his undergraduate (AB) and law (LLB cum laude) degrees.

He served in World War II and attended law school through the GI Bill. He then worked more than 40 years in legal roles for the federal government and in retirement as a government contractor/consultant. His roles included Chief of the Procurement Law Division of the U.S. Army Munitions Command in Joliet, where he was noted for outstanding work in The Army Lawyer in December 1972, Chief of Staff for the Department of Defense's Ammunition Procurement and Supply Agency in Joliet, Chief Legal Counsel for Fermi National Accelerator Lab near Chicago, and Chief of Legal with Argonne National Laboratory for the Atomic Energy Commission, later a part of the Department of Energy.

He was admitted to the bar of the State of Illinois in 1949 and to the bar to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1965.

He was a founding parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church in Joliet and also attended the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet.

Known for his dry wit, he often joked that because he skipped second grade, whenever he was asked a question to which he didn't know the answer he would reply that the subject must have been taught in second grade.

John fostered a love of nature and the great outdoors in his family through his gardening and by taking them on hiking trips to Starved Rock. He also instilled a love of history and the natural world with trips to the Museum of Science and Industry, Brookfield Zoo, and Escanaba, MI, for an annual family vacation. And his making of jam from the fruits of his garden led several of his children to follow his example to this day.

His children, who are grateful to have his example of a life led with courtesy, kindness, justice, faith, humility, humor, generosity and love, recall asking him each birthday and Christmas what gift he would like.

"Ten good kids," he would always reply.

We'll do our best, Dad.

Funeral Services for John Edward Thomas “Jack” Softcheck will be held on Friday, October 23, 2020, at the Church of St. Jude, 2212 McDonough St., Joliet, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friends and family are invited to arrive at 9:45 a.m. to be seated before Mass begins. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. A celebration of his life will take place when we all may gather again.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to Misercordia, 6300 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL 60660 (misercordia.com), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org), or to a charity of your choice.

Or, in memory of an exceptionally kind man, perform a random act of kindness.

For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you may leave an online condolence or share a favorite memory.

· Visit Fred C. Dames on Facebook

· Order Flowers

· Healing Resources