John A. Spring — Duker & Haugh

John A. Spring, 76, of Quincy, IL died December 2, 2024 at Barnes Jewish Hospital following complications from esophageal cancer surgery. He was born in Kewanee, Illinois on June 7, 1948, the son of John C. and Aledo Arnould Spring. He graduated from Alleman High School in Rock Island, IL.

As a freshman at Quincy College, John met Karen Jansen. They married in 1968 at St. Boniface Catholic Church and moved to St. Louis where John graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1971. During this time, their daughter, Stacey, was born, and John began teaching science in the Parkway School System in the western suburbs of St. Louis County.

John and Karen came back to Quincy in 1974. He taught 5th and 6th grade at Monroe Elementary School for two years and then in 1976 he went to Quincy Notre Dame High School to teach biology, and coach football and basketball. In 1977, he became the first Director of Development at QND. His career spanned 29 years and he fundraised QND into lasting financial stability, allowing many capital improvements and student scholarships along the way. This success awarded him the opportunity to serve on the Board of the National Catholic Development Conference; in this capacity, he traveled across the Country consulting private schools on raising money to strengthen Catholic education.

Education was always John’s passion, but he chose to serve the community in a larger capacity. In 2005, the people of Quincy entrusted John to serve as their Mayor and he served the next 8 years proudly representing our City. He was a true public servant, always putting the citizens of Quincy first. He was a people person and always tried to work collaboratively to move the City forward. One of his favorite accomplishments while at City Hall was the expansion of Amtrak service to Quincy residents. He firmly believed that a strong transportation system led to economic growth and community development.

John loved golfing with his friends. He also enjoyed boating, fishing and spending time with family at the Lake of the Ozarks. Many didn’t know that he was a talented artist and painted many pieces that he gifted to family members. John and Karen loved to travel, especially their annual family trips to St. Simons Island, GA.

John loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s activities, including many sporting events and dance recitals. You could also always find John with a handheld radio, where he was an avid listener of KMOX Radio out of St. Louis and of his beloved St. Louis Cardinals. John broadcasted many QND basketball and football games over the years with WGEM Radio. John loved attending sporting events and you could always find him at QND or QU games.

While John was not born and raised in Quincy, he created lifelong friendships with people throughout the community. Some of these friendships turned into weekly gatherings at local coffee shops and restaurants. He regularly attended the Quincy Service Club every Friday afternoon at the Elks Club. He truly loved all of his friends and enjoyed the many conversations that were had.

John was a devout Catholic whose faith was the foundation for his lifelong service to others. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and St. Francis Catholic Church through the years. In the last couple of years, he loved attending Quincy University’s Chapel every Sunday morning where he enjoyed a strong relationship and friendship with the Franciscans in Quincy.

John enjoyed serving his community. He was involved with the following organizations and boards over the years: Quincy Service Club, the Salvation Army, Quincy Notre Dame Foundation, Transitions of Western Illinois, Quincy Art Center, National Catholic Development Conference, Great River Economic Development Foundation, Illinois Municipal League, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, Quincy Fire and Police Commission, Quincy Water Commission, Illinois State Police Merit Board, Quincy Sister City Commission.

He is survived by:
HIS CHILDREN: Stacey (Andrew) Staff of Quincy, IL; Joshua (Cindy) Spring of Florida and Michael (Brooke) Spring of Carmel, IN

GRANDCHILDREN: Sarah Staff (Matt Widhalm), Jack Staff and Michael Staff; Albert Spring; Caroline Spring, Olivia Spring and Ada Spring

IN-LAWS: Jeff (Melissa) Jansen of Quincy and Diane (Joe) Fennesy of Lee’s Summit, MO

A nephew, nieces and other relatives survive.

John was preceded in his death by his parents, his wife, Karen, and his sister, Julie Blohm and her husband, Bill.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Quincy University Chapel. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday afternoon from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the John A. Spring Scholarship through Quincy Notre Dame Foundation. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.