John is survived by his wife Elaine(nee Stopka); children: Linda (Mark) Shelson, Thomas (Alice) Birlson, Donald Birlson, Karen Ferrer, John (Rita) Birlson, and Robert (Theresa) Birlson; grandchildren: Jacob Sills, Geena Ward, Keith Birlson, Erica Ferrer, Mark Shelson Jr, Haley Mireles, William Ferrer, Stacey Birlson, Rhea Birlson, Olivia Birlson, Emily Birlson, Lucas Birlson, Andrew Birlson, Sophia Birlson, and Elizabeth Birlson; and great-grandchildren: Remington Minshall and Mila Mireles.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Eunice Birlson; sister, EsteLee McNutt; and son, James Birlson.
All services are private.
John was born in 1930 in Newport, Arkansas. In his early twenties he moved to LaPorte, IN to work at the ammunition plant in Kingsford Heights, IN where he met his beautiful wife, Elaine, of 67 years!
In the late 1950's the family moved to Dyer, IN to be close to his new job at the Ford Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights, IL, where he worked for 35 years.
John was a Dyer Little League coach for many years and in 1975 coached the first team from Dyer to win the Indiana District 2 Championship. He also enjoyed watching his St Louis Cardinals, hunting, fishing, gardening, spending time with his 15 grandchildren, and trips down to his vacation home "Broken Oak" in French Lick, IN.
John will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him!
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