John “Smilin Jack” Carpenter of Kenosha, died Thursday, November 7, 2002 at St. Catherines Medical Center Campus. Born in Evanston, IL on March 7, 1925. He was the son of the late Byron L. and Della, nee Blomdahl, Carpenter, and he lived in Evanston for all of his life until recently moving to Kenosha in May of 2000. He was a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Art degree in 1950. He was in the United States Navy as a Second Class Yeoman on the P.T. Sub-Chaser 995. He was in the service from 1942 until 1946 during WW II. He was in the South Pacific Theater. On July 9, 1949 he married Shirley Linton in Chicago, IL. He was an auto mechanic, the owner and operator of Smilin Jack’s Standard in Evanston, IL from 1950 until 1984, he also owned and operated Jack’s Muffler Man from 1980 until 1987. He was a member of the Elk’s Club, V.F.W. American Legion, all in Evanston, IL, SVITHOD Lodge of Chicago, IL. He enjoyed golf, woodworking and gardening. Surviving are his wife, Shirley of Kenosha; four sons, Mike (Jan) Carpenter of Boulder Heights, CO, Scott (Mary) Carpenter of Kenosha, Guy (Leslie) Carpenter of Northbrook, IL, and Bryon (Kathy) Carpenter of Rockville, MD; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bob Carpenter. A Memorial Service for “Smilin Jack” Carpenter will be held on Sunday, November, 10 at Proko Funeral Home, 5111 60th St. at 1:30 p.m. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 12 noon until the time of the services at Proko Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials to Make-AWish Foundation or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Wisconsin.
