John E. Bireley, 73, a Wilmette resident for 40 years, died April 21, 2002 in Evanston Hospital. John attended Santa Clara University in California and is a graduate of Loyola University in Chicago. The majority of his business career was spent with the Lyric Corporation, Allen Texas, formerly known as DLM, Inc. (Niles, IL), and Argus Press (Niles, IL). Positions held were corporate treasurer, senior vice president international and chief executive officer of the Argus Press Division. Though John held financial and administrative positions, he also participated in the sales of the multi-division company. Following retirement in 1988, John volunteered as a part time consultant to his former employer and also became active as an Evanston Hospital volunteer in both regular and pastoral duties. John was preceded in death by his parents, John M. Bireley and Marian L. Bareley of Evanston, IL. He is survived by his wife, Joan; brother, Robert, S.J.; and sister Barbara, RSCJ; son, J. Michael (Polly) of Plano, TX, and their children, Ben, Jennifer and Samantha; daughter, Margaret (Bill) Synder of Scottsdale, AZ, and their children, Meghan, William and John Patrick; daughter, Mary Beth (Jim) Chess of Atlanta, GA, and their children, Peter, Nick, Katharine, Matthew, Emily and Danny; daughter, Martha (Chris) McCurdy of Northbrook, IL, and their children, Jack, Casey, Will and George; son, Mark (Marian) Bireley of Boston, MA, and their children, Dan and Julia; and son Matthew (Kelly) of Chicago, IL, and their child, Greer. John was a loving husband, wonderful father and grandparent and a fond brother. He will be truly missed by all. Visitation Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m. at Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home, 1100 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette. Funeral Friday, 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Francis Xavier Church (9th St. and Linden Ave., Wilmette), for Mass at 10 a.m. Interment All Saints Cemetery. Contributions may be made to St. Francis Xavier School, 808 Linden Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091, St. Francis Xavier Parish, 524 9th Street, Wilmette, IL 60091 or the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus, 2050 N. Clark, Chicago, IL 60614. Info: 847-251-8200
