John David “J.D.” Zirkle, 86, of Watseka, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at home surrounded by his family due to a reoccurring battle with cancer.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a funeral mass following all at the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman, IL, with Fr. Michael Powell officiating. Burial to follow with a graveside service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Gilman, IL, with graveside military rites by the Gilman American Legion Post 499.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-9959).
John was born on November 30, 1939 in Delrey, IL to Clyde and Mary (Gillespie) Zirkle. He attended Onarga Grade School and graduated from Onarga High School. During his High School years, John met the love of his life, Gloria A. Reynolds. They wed on August 15, 1964 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Gilman. Following High School, John completed four years at Chicago Heights Trade Academy, then was in the Army Reserves for 3.5 years as an encrypted tele typer. He left the Reserves with Honorable Discharge due to Gloria being pregnant with twins.
John went on to lead a large workforce in Chicago Heights Local Union 272 for approximately 20 years. He then retired from the Union and started his own local contracting business, Zirkle Construction.
John’s greatest passion was fishing and hunting. He loved to roll dice and play cards with family and friends. John enjoyed spending his time on the lakes of Wisconsin. Later in life, John picked up the hobby of raising exotic turkeys and pygmy goats. John was a member of St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka, Moose Lodge of Gilman, American Legion, US Army, Carpenters Local 272, Illinois Sheriff’s Association, and Iroquois County Ducks Unlimited.
John is survived by son, John T. (Dianne) Zirkle of Gilman; daughter, Jodi (Mike) Schuler of Watseka; five grandchildren, Hilary (Mike) Barkley of Vicksburg, MI, Austin (Kenna) Zirkle of Watseka, Natalie Zirkle (fiancé, Jordan Hamilton) of Crescent City, Dylan Schuler (Morgan Soderlund) of Champaign, Mackenzie (Ross) Walwer of Watseka; special friend, Mary Ostrowski; eight great-grandchildren, Adley, Rowan, and Maisyn Zirkle, Calvin and Caden Barkley, and Kason, Tate, and Mavren Walwer; one brother, Bob Zirkle; three sisters, Mary Mulligan, Nina (Tom) Dundas, and Joan Sterk.
Gloria preceded him in death on July 15, 2015. John was also preceded in death by both of his parents; son, Daniel James Zirkle; and sister, Ramona Gerdes.
Please share a memory of John at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
