Obituaries

John J. Di Guido, 88, of Geneva, Illinois, answered his final roll call on Saturday, April 18th. A proud Marine veteran, John carried the values of “Semper Fidelis” far beyond his time in uniform; he remained always faithful to his family, his friends, and his word.

John was a man who possessed the rare gift of presence. Known for his beaming smile, quick wit and a treasury of stories that never seemed to run dry, he had an uncanny ability to turn a stranger into an old friend within minutes. Whether he was holding court on the golf course or offering quiet wisdom over a cup of coffee, he made people feel seen, heard, and truly valued.

As a visionary entrepreneur, John founded his own elevator company from the ground up. He didn’t just build a business; he built a foundation of integrity. For John, the true measure of success wasn’t found in the height of the buildings he serviced, but in the people he lifted up along the way. He took immense pride in mentoring family and friends into the industry, guiding them toward careers that secured their own futures. To his colleagues, he was a man of his word; to his family, he didn’t quite create the heavens and the earth, but he certainly made sure they had an elevator to get there.

While he was a fixture in the Chicagoland area, his heart belonged entirely to his family. He was the steady hand for his children, a listening ear for his grandchildren, and a source of quiet wonder for his great-grandchildren, eyes always beaming with pride. John’s heart had no perimeter. He practiced an intentional kindness that ensured everyone felt an immediate sense of belonging. To John, “family” wasn’t defined by a bloodline, but by whoever was sitting at his table.

John is survived by his children, who will miss him every day: Susan (Michael) Cahill; Jack (Chris) Di Guido; Sharon Di Guido; Dan (Amy) Di Guido; and Jodi Rhodes (Buddy Johnson). He also leaves behind a vibrant legacy of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will forever carry his warmth and wisdom.

John is further survived by his companion, Patricia Wilde; his siblings, Elizabeth Bakalik, Barbara Novick, Nick Di Guido, Terry (Sue) Di Guido, and sister-in-law, Gaile Di Guido; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his former spouse, Carol Di Guido; his life partner, Sheryl Schwarnweber; his parents, Nicholas and Gladys Di Guido; his siblings, Dennis, Tom, and Roy Di Guido; and his grandson, Alex Di Guido.

Service Information

Visitation:  Yurs Funeral Home 405 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL 60174

Date & Time: Monday, April 27, 2026 from 3PM to 8PM

Funeral: Yurs Funeral Home 405 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL 60174. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery 1200 N. 5th Avenue, St. Charles, IL 60174

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 10AM

Memorial Contributions: If sending flowers, please direct them to: Yurs Funeral Home 405 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL 60174.

John’s journey on this earth has ended, but as any golfer knows, he has simply moved on to the clubhouse at the end of a long, well-played round. He taught us that while hard work is essential, kindness is what makes a life worth living. May his memory be a blessing.

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