John Depa, age 91; beloved husband of Bonnie (nee Fronczek); beloved father of Yolanda Merges, Michael (Tina) and Mark. Dear grandfather of Alyssa Merges, Emalee, Joshua and Elyse Riley. Fond brother of Janina, Apolonia, Justyna, Helena, Czeslawa and Boleslaw.

John was born in southeastern Poland in the early 1930's. Growing up during World War II, he was no stranger to hardship. Living on a farm, he had to assume a head of household role at a mere 15 years old, after losing his own father at a young age. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family.  Life would continue and he'd soon be blessed when he met, courted and married a young neighbor girl (Bonnie) and soon their journey together would begin. John emigrated to the United States in the early 1960's, soon followed by his new bride and young daughter. His family could not be more thankful for the blessings and opportunities that this move afforded them. He was the consummate provider, always forgoing personal luxuries in favor of providing a safe home, food and quality education for his family, which he believed in strongly. So much so, that he attained his high school diploma in the evenings, amid working two jobs. John was a tailor by trade and extremely resourceful, often bartering his shop skills for items he needed or to just help a friend in need. He was a faith-filled man who walked a mile and a half to church every single day–rain, sleet or snow. He loved God, his family and a kind word or a laugh shared with a neighbor or friend. John's pride and joy was his garden, which provided bountiful yields of tomatoes and other vegetables that he loved to share with friends and family. Even in recent years, harvests continued to impress and produced some of the biggest yields to date.

We will miss you, Dad, Dziadzia, and friend to many, John. You were a candle that burned bright in all of our lives and we are all better for having known you.

Visitation Tuesday September 5th, 2023 at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave, Niles from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral Wednesday 9:15 AM to St. John Brebeuf Church for mass at 10:00 AM. Interment Maryhill Cemetery. Funeral info: 847-966-7302. In lieu of flowers donation to Mundelein Seminary appreciated.

Sp. Jan Depa lat 91; ukochany maz sp. Bonnie (z domu Fronczek); kochajacy ojciec  Yolandy Merges, Michala (Tina) i Marka. Drogi dziadek  Alyssy Merges, Emalee, Joshuy i Elyse Riley. Drogi brat Janiny, Apolonii, Justyny, Heleny, Czeslawy i Boleslawa.

Wystawienie zwlok we wtorek 5-go wrzesnia 2023r. w Skaja Terrace Funeral Home 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave, Niles od godz. 16-ej do 20-ej. Pogrzeb we srode 6-go wrzesnia 2023r. o godz. 9:15 rano do kosciola sw. Jana Brebeuf na msze sw. o godz. 10-ej.  Pochowek na cmentarzu Maryhill.  Zamiast kwiatow donacje na rzecz Seminarium w Mundelein mile widziane.