Former Geneva bank head, alderman VanThournout remembered

John VanThournout figured that people had a responsibility to make sure things in their community worked.

He lived that out, in his career and his volunteer work in Geneva.

VanThournout, 87, died April 6.

“He set a really good example for all of us (in the family). ‘You have to do things to help your community. If you don't, things don't work,' he said,” recalled daughter Gail Lanznar.

He was a banker by trade, starting as a teller at age 23 and ending with a 20-year stint as president, at First National Bank of Geneva. He may have been influenced by two of his sisters, Lanznar said, who worked in banks.

Or it could have been his aptitude. “He was a whiz with numbers,” Lanznar said. And he was very personable, always talking to customers to learn abut their families and their businesses. He loved being at the bank; it was a very public-relations type of job.”

He also made time to found the Fabyan Foundation, serve on the board of TriCity Family Services, and conduct city business as an alderman in the 1960s. He belonged to the United Methodist Church of Geneva, Rotary International, the American Legion, the St. Charles Country Club and the Geneva Golf Club. He spent 30 years on the city's cemetery board of managers.

VanThournout was born in Elgin, the youngest of 10 children. He served as a staff sergeant in the Air Force in 1951 and 1952.

VanThournout was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Joyce. He is survived by three daughters; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters.

A wake will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Yurs Funeral Home, 1771 W. State St., Geneva. The funeral is at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial in Oak Hill Cemetery in Geneva.