John A. Koteles, 89, of Aurora, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Provena Mercy Medical Center due to complications from a stroke. He was born October 28, 1922 in Elgin, Illinois and grew up in Aurora where he attended East Aurora High School.

John enlisted in the military at the age of 20 and served in the Merchant Marines throughout the Pacific during WWII, where he achieved the rank of Ensign USMS, and survived his ship being torpedoed off the coast of Yemen. He met the love of his life, Dorothy Fitzmaurice, in 1946 and they married in 1948. John graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1950 and practiced for 36 years in Chicago and Aurora before retiring in 1986. Retirement gave John the time to do what he enjoyed most in life: golfing, gardening, being the ultimate "do-it-yourselfer" and spending time with his family. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Church and the Loyal Order of the Moose.

Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Dorothy; their sons, John P. (Mary) of Westwood, MA and Gary (Maureen) of Belvedere, IL; daughter, Lenore of Aurora; eight grandchildren: Colin (Phyllis), Thomas, Katherine and Kevin Koteles; Michael (Amber) Koteles, Lauren (Bob) Lauer and Brittany Koteles; and Brendan Jamieson; two great grandsons, Jack and Holden Koteles; and his sister, Elizabeth Fourmont.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elizabeth (Nagy) Koteles; his brothers, Alex and Charles; and his infant daughter, Mary.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 9, 2011 from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY at 12:00 PM to St. Joseph Church at 12:30 PM. Fr. Jerome Leake will officiate with interment in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, IL 60506. 630-631-5500. Please visit our new interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com .