John Richard Terwilliger, 64, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on May 13, 2022 at home
in Danville, IL. John was born in Champaign, IL to John E. Terwilliger and Edith M. Terwilliger
(Robinson) on October 14, 1957. John is survived by his parents John and Edith Terwilliger of
Charleston, IL, his partner Sarah Imhoff and her son Jakob Imhoff of Danville, IL, three siblings:
Mike Terwilliger (Robyn) of Galva, IL, Deb Compton of Charleston, IL, and Robin Terwilliger of
Lafayette, IN. John also leaves behind nieces and nephews: Shaw Terwilliger (Sarah Stack) of
NC, Bennett Terwilliger (Anna Kultys) of IL, Leeann Terwilliger (Adam Sharp) of TX, Kristi
Brownfield of SD, Alistair Mountz (Kristin) of AZ, Angela Terwilliger of IN. John is survived by
nine great nieces and nephews. John leaves behind a large loving group of super cool cousins,
aunts, uncles, and fabulous friends. John was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents,
paternal grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.
John grew up in Champaign, IL and enjoyed the advantages that come with both parents being
employed at the University of Illinois, such as attending summer play performances, basketball
at Huff gym, art museum trips, bowling at the Union, and playing pick-up football games with
neighboring fraternity members. John’s love for football was nurtured by playing in the YMCA
football teams all the way through Edison Jr. High, Champaign Central High School and
graduating from Champaign Central High School in 1975. John attended Illinois State University
but then decided that he was going to take a different route through life. In the early 1980's
John worked in the hospitality industry in Champaign-Urbana at a couple of Pomonis owned
places including Panama Reds. During this time John became a roadie for the popular
Champaign country-rock band Appaloosa. This adventure led John to his commitment to
helping others, his joy of music, and his fun-loving nature. John met many people during this
time who continue to be lifelong friends. John and Sarah enjoyed attending a reunion show of
Appaloosa in August 2021.
John’s love of people and helping others led him to several sales positions. It is believed John
honed and fine-tuned these skills earlier in his life when he participated in the annual door to
door sale of boxed thin mints to support the YMCA football program. Of course, John was
helped by the fact that his family lived across from a sorority and there was a fraternity on the
corner, but it was John's people skills that sold the product. John worked for Herff Jones for
almost 30 years where he was in charge of providing gowns, including measuring and returns, to
participants in the University of Illinois graduation ceremonies. John currently was a Business
Development Manager for Accel Entertainment. John had a special place in his heart for dogs,
especially special needs animals. John had two beloved dogs that are waiting for him on the
Rainbow Bridge: Hank who was deaf and Jack.
John enjoyed posting pictures, stories, and tidbits about his life on Facebook to share with
family and friends. His posts were often humorous to brighten your day, antics of his dogs,
tidbits about sports, his travels with Sarah and the yummy restaurants they came across in their
adventures, and reminders of being loving and kind to others. John also shared his own
experiences: a trip in Chicago where he gave his lunch away to a homeless person, picking up a
man on the interstate who was walking several miles in bitterly cold weather, and kindness
unasked for and freely given. This was John: a caring and loving man with a generous spirit and
a kind heart. John will be greatly missed by family, friends, and strangers he has met along the
way. The ripple John has left will touch many more people than we can imagine. A Celebration
of Life will be held on May 26, 2022 at Wesley United Methodist Church-Watseka Lounge,
1203 W. Green St, Urbana, IL 61801 at 4pm. To honor John's love for dogs the family asks that
in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Champaign County Humane Society where John
had volunteered many of his Saturday hours to walk dogs at the Humane Society. Online condolences: www.rortvedtfuneralservices.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of John Richard Terwilliger, please visit our floral store.