Dr. John Kratochvil, 84, of Oak Brook, Ill., passed away March 12, 2026. John was born in Chicago to John and Sylvia (Blazek) Kratochvil. He graduated from Morton West in Berwyn, Ill., in 1959. During his time there, he played on their defense for the Mustangs’s football team. John then went on to attend Western Michigan, for his undergrad studies. He then continued his education earning his masters and doctrine in sciences at University of Wisconsin. John had successful and fulfilling careers in Food Research at Swift and Kraft along with consulting. He is survived by his beloved wife Reta, married for 59 years, loving father to Kari, wonderful grandfather of James (Haeley) and greatgrandfather of Margot Mae. He was an avid sports fan of the Bulls, Chicago Bears, and his UW alma mater. John loved hunting pheasants, deer, and large game. He also dedicated much of his time as a member of Gideons International.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gideons International or Pacific Garden Mission. If you would like to plant a tree in John’s memory please go to his obituary at legacy.com
Visitation was held Monday, March 23, at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., funeral service at 10:45 a.m., a lunch followed in the fellowship hall at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 501 Oak Brook Rd., Oak Brook, IL 60523.