John L. Carlson, 69, of Lombard, died Wednesday in Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. Mr. Carlson was a resident of Lombard for 42 years. He grew up in the area and was a 1947 graduate of Glenbard High School. In 1950, Mr. Carlson signed with the Chicago White Sox as a left-handed pitcher, but being newly married, he was unable to afford to live on the salary and consequently turned down the offer. He served in the National Guard in the 1950s. He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 265 in DuPage County and was retired from Wagner Heating in Addison. Mr. Carlson also was a deacon at the Lombard Bible Church. Survivors include his wife, Diane; two sons, John R. and William; four daughters, Cathy Nolte, Eileen Fina, Carrie McKee and Gail Haugen; three brothers, Walter, Harold and Carl; three sisters, Carol, Florence Brownell and Dorothy Meyers; and 14 grandchildren. Services have been held.
