John Francis McAteer
October 29, 1934 ~ March 22, 2026
Born in:
East St. Louis , Illinois
Resided in:
Greenville, Illinois
John Francis McAteer, 91, Greenville IL passed away on March 22, 2026, at Greenville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. John was born October 29,1934 in East St. Louis, IL the son of John & Margaret (Flaherty) McAteer. He lived in East St. Louis attending St. Mary’s Grade School until the family moved to Belleville, IL. He then attended St. Henry Grade School and Cathedral High School. He received his Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Illinois
University at Carbondale. He began his teaching career at his alma mater Cathedral High School and was instrumental in the transition to Althoff Catholic High School as the Dean of Students.
While at SIU he met the love of his life, Verna (Rees) McAteer in Morris Library and they were married June 18, 1960, she survives. In 1968, John & Verna moved to Normal, IL when John took a position supervising student teachers for Illinois State University. His career at ISU lasted 30 years and his final position was as the Director of the Office of Research Services and Grants Department in the Graduate School. Upon his retirement in 1996, John and Verna moved to Greenville, IL.
John was blessed with good family and strong faith. He had great fondness for his sister Marilyn who was 13 years older than him and her two sons John & Don Johnston who affectionately called him “Unc”. He had wonderful in-laws, Ernest & Florence Rees, and taught Verna’s young sister to swim at the family cabin in Southern IL. He loved spending time at the cabin “contemplating the mysteries of the universe” with family and friends alike. He especially liked his annual “Boys Week” trips with the “Same Ol’ Belleville Bunch”.
John was an active member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Greenville. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand for any task that needed to be done. He served on the Parish Council, also serving as the President. He Co- Chaired the annual Fish & Chicken Dinners for many years. He was a founding member of the Greenville Knights of Columbus where he fulfilled many roles including being Past Grand Knight. John was an avid reader and life-long learner. He donated blood frequently as he had a rare blood type.
John’s pride and joy were his children Daniel & Maura, both adopted as infants. Being their dad was his most cherished and significant role. He not only passed on his faith in Jesus Christ but his values, compassion and wisdom. He was a great role model to his 7 grandchildren of what a faithful servant, father and husband should look like.
John is survived by his wife of 65 years Verna (Rees) McAteer. His son Daniel (Lynn) McAteer of Rolling Meadows, IL and daughter Maura (Craig) Campbell of Greenville, IL. 7 grandchildren: Madison (Brian) Portland of Loveland, OH; Caleb (Lauren) Campbell of Poplar Bluff, MO; Sean McAteer of Chicago, IL, John (Kailee) Campbell of Madisonville, KY; William McAteer of Iowa City, IA; Elizabeth Campbell of Evansville, IN and Katrina Campbell of Williamsburg, KY. Great granddaughters Cecelia Campbell of Madisonville, KY and baby girl Campbell due in July of Poplar Bluff, MO.
John is also survived by his sister-in-law Carole (Lisle Gates) Murray of Castle Rock, CO and nephews John (Rebecca) Johnston and Don (Kim) Johnston of Belleville, IL and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents John T. & Margaret (Flaherty) McAteer; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn & Joseph Johnston. Also, in-laws Ernest & Florence (Miller) Rees; brother-in-law
Randall Rees, all who will meet John with open arms in heaven.
The family would like to thank all the staff at The Glenwood, Greenville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Bond County Hospice for the love and care they provided John during his end-of-life journey.
As his last act of generosity, John is donating his body to St. Louis University. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 11:00 am. Friends may call, prior to the Mass, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A luncheon will be served immediately following.
Memorial donations can be made to: St. Lawrence Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund, 512 South Prairie St., Greenville, Il 62246, and/or Lemuel Rhodes Cancer Foundation, PO Box 496, Greenville, Il 62246.
The family has entrusted Assalley Funeral Home in Greenville with the ceremonies.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.
Services
Memorial Mass: May 2, 2026 11:00 am
St. Lawrence Catholic Church
512 S. Prairie Street
Greenville, IL 62246
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in John Francis McAteer 's name.
Lemuel Rhodes Cancer Foundation
PO Box 496
Greenville,
IL
62246
St. Lawrence Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund
512 South Elm Street
Greenville,
IL
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Verna, Maura and family, my sincere sympathy on the passing of Mac. I remember when you two moved to Greenville and became customers at the bank where I worked. I thought you both were so nice.of course, I already knew Craig and Maura so it was no surprise. Mac was a man of many talents and really enjoyed helping people and being active in the community. God bless your family and be thankful for the many years you had together.
So sorry to see this. Dr. Mac was such a wonderful person and I had the pleasure of working for him at Illinois State University in the Research Office. He was so much fun. I will never forget him. We kept in touch many years after he retired. Verna and family, you have my sympathy and I always enjoyed your letter at Christmas. I am sure you have a lot of good memories.
We have good memories when John and family were our neighbors on Sandra Lane in Normal. My husband and son got to spend a weekend fishing at your cabin. Such a nice family. Sending our sympathy to your family. Monty & Rene Keim
Dear McAteer family,
In reading this wonderful tribute of John’s life, I am overcome with inspiration to live a life that matters. To the very end :). He will be greatly missed by so many. Though I did not know him well, I so appreciated his witty mind and sacrificial heart. May God bring comfort and peace to all who were blessed to know him. With love and hugs especially to Verna, his beloved, and to my sister, Maura Lou and her family :).
My sincerest condolences on the passing of Dr. McAteer. My Dad, Bob McAdam, worked closely with ‘Mac’ (as Dad called him) for many years at ISU’s Office of Research Services and Grants. Dad always had the highest regard for Dr. McAteer. My parents considered Mac and Verna friends, staying in touch with them in the retirement years until my parents passed. I too remember the McAteers fondly, having even babysat for Dan and Maura a few times on Sandra Lane (approx 1976). What a wonderful family. Dr. McAteer made an impact on many and he will be remembered.