DuPage County judge loses battle with lung cancer

John Panegasser loved a good joke, especially if he was the one telling it.

His laughter often could he heard in the hallways of the DuPage County courthouse as the avid storyteller tried to deliver a punch line but never could do it with a straight face.

The DuPage County legal community is mourning the loss of the associate judge who died early Wednesday after a short but courageous battle with lung cancer. Panegasser died in his Wheaton home with his family at his side. He was just 62.

His legal career spanned nearly four decades, most of which was spent in DuPage County, where he ran a family law practice in Elmhurst. A passionate lawyer in court, colleagues described Panegasser as the consummate professional. His reputation earned him a spot on the 18th judicial circuit bench Nov. 30, 2006.

DuPage Chief Judge Ann Jorgensen described Panegasser as a man true to his word. Those who crossed paths with him were the better for knowing him, she said.

"He faced his battle with cancer with the same dignity and strength of character that he brought to his work," the chief judge said. "He served with honor, respect and distinction for far too short of a time and will be greatly missed."

Panegasser grew up on Chicago's West Side. His father, John, sang opera. His mother, Camille, was a concert pianist. He was the couple's only child. It was on a blind date that he met Leslie, his wife of 38 years, with whom he raised three children. She recalled Wednesday the pride her husband felt when he became a judge.

She said Panegasser was diagnosed Oct. 24 with lung cancer.

"He fought as hard as he possibly could," she said. "He was just a wonderful, wonderful person who loved life."

Panegasser and fellow attorney Joseph Mirabella formed a long friendship decades ago. On Saturday, Mirabella visited his sick friend for what they both knew would be the final time. He recalled his friend saying, "It's time for me to go."

"He was the epitome of what is good and decent in the practice of law," Mirabella said. "Unfortunately, he died before he had a chance to make his mark on the bench, but if you knew him, you would have loved him. He was the greatest guy God ever put on this earth."

Panegasser is survived by his wife and their three adult children, Stephanie, Matthew and Andrew, and six grandchildren, ages 5 months to 12 years old. Outside of court, he loved to play golf, cheer on the Chicago White Sox and laugh at his own jokes.

Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. Cumberland Chapels Funeral Home in Norridge is handling the arrangements. In his honor, contributions to the American Cancer Society are appreciated.