John W. Vescelus, 77, a longtime Wheaton attorney and civic leader, died Wednesday at his home in Mesa, Ariz. Born in Elkhart, Ind., Mr. Vescelus served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he completed his college degree at Wheaton College in 1947 and then attended law school at Chicago-Kent School of Law. For six years, Mr. Vescelus lived in West Chicago, where he acted as city attorney and practiced law with his first partner, Edwin L. Douglas. In 1958 he started a new practice in Wheaton, specializing in personal, real estate and school law. In 1960, Mr. Vescelus became licensed to try cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Vescelus also was a member of the board of the West Chicago State Bank for many years. He also served the West Chicago Savings and Loan Association for 21 years as a director until its merger with Hinsdale Federal Savings in 1974. He then served with Hinsdale Federal Savings and Subsidiaries as a director from 1974 to 1991. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Illinois State Bar Association from 1977 to 1983 and was secretary of the board from 1981 to 1982. Mr. Vescelus is survived by his wife, Mary; two daughters, Jennifer Searle and Barbara Andreson; a son, Stephen; a stepson, Gregory Krumes; a stepdaughter, Kathy Krumes; two brothers, Paul and Kenneth; a sister, Margaret Sinton; nine grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Wheaton Evangelical Free Church, 520 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton.
