John W. Malone, 83 of Aledo, died Friday, May 12, 2023, at Aledo Rehab & Healthcare Center. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 19, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Andalusia, Illinois. Visitation is 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Memorials may be made to the Mercer Foundation for Health or the Mercer County Ag Society. Condolences may be left at speerfuneralhome.com.
John William was born on February 2, 1940, in Peoria, Illinois, to John and Verna (Tendering) Malone. He graduated from Spaulding High School in Peoria and received his bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose and Master’s degree from Western Illinois University. He married Margaret “Peggy” Troy on August 7, 1965, in DeWitt, Iowa.
John began his teaching career in Radcliff, Iowa, where he taught for 4 years before coming to the Aledo School District where he taught High School English for 39 years. After retirement he worked for the Aledo Hardware Store. John served on the Mercer Foundation for Health Board and was instrumental in helping build the Medical Clinic in Aledo. He also served on the Mercer County Fair Board and loved to volunteer at the Fair Grounds. He helped restore the old ticket office at the fairgrounds and enjoyed sharing the county’s history. John and Peggy enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland and train trips in Canada, their favorite city being Quebec City. They also enjoyed weekend trips around Illinois. John was also a huge Notre Dame fan.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy; sister, Kay Wickert of Peoria; brothers-in-law, Bill Troy and Jack Troy and his wife, Sue; nieces and nephews: Julie Voelker, Kathy Wickert, Sharon Kooy, Tom Wickert, Anthony Troy, Elizabeth Kellen, and Brent Troy; and special friends, Jeff and Josh Rush.