John Edward "Jack" Ruf Sr., age 77, suddenly, December 5, 2014 at his home in Fort Myers, FL. He resided in Alsip, IL for 30 years and spent 10 years in New Lenox, IL. He moved to Fort Myers, FL in 2003. John was born Sept. 4th 1937 at Lewis Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL. He attended grammar school at St. Gabriel in Chicago’s Canaryville neighborhood and graduated in June 1952. John graduated from DeLaSalle Institute in 1956. He was employed by the Chessie System Railroad for 29 years. Proud of his military service to our country, he was in the Army from 1958-1961serving with the Fifth Army, spending one year in Korea. John was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife Mercedes (nee Trevino). They were married in June of 1963. They have three children: John Edward Jr. (Brenda) Ruf, Cynthia Helen (Edward) Brandt and Michelle Ann (Michael) Helmke. He also leaves behind six grandchildren: Michael Helmke, Elizabeth Ruf, Abigail Helmke, John Carsten Ruf, Matthew Helmke and Eleanor Ruf. John was the brother of Lauretta (Larry) Chandler and his late sister Helen (late Raymond) Mitchell. Brother-in-law to Roseann (late Tom) Zimmer, Leonard (Rose) Trevino, James (Val) Trevino and the late Lino (Colleen) Trevino. Loving uncle of many nieces and nephews and many cousins. Preceded in death by his father John Joseph and his mother Helen (nee Murphy) Ruf. Family and Friends will gather for a Funeral Mass, Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St Jude’s Catholic Church, 241 W 2nd Ave, New Lenox, IL 60451. Committal Service & Military Honors Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 at 2:00PM at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation are appreciated. Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com (708) 532-5400