John S. De Hesus Memorial Scholarship Awarded to Wauconda High School Seniors

A long time resident and civic leader of Wauconda, John S. De Hesus, was memorialized at the Wauconda High School Honors Night on Monday, April 29, when scholarships were presented to two graduating Seniors.

Born in Chicago in 1917, John De Hesus graduated from Proviso High School, then served in the Army for five years during World War II, including a year in a field hospital in the Philippines. Following his discharge, he chose Wauconda as a place to raise his growing family. He spent from 1951 to 1981 as a community organizer and civic leader in his adopted town. He was a retail Manager of two former local establishments, Dickson's Grocery and Painters' Rexall Drugs.

Mr. De Hesus was actively involved in many facets of Wauconda life. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 911, serving as Post Commander in the mid 1950s and helping to erect the present building. He coached many Little League teams, volunteered for many annual fundraisers at Transfiguration Church (though not a member), and was a member of the Moose and Lions Club, serving as President of the latter.

He was also a member of the Wauconda School Board and in the early 1960s, helped break ground for the current High School, where all four of his children would graduate. As a leader in the Chamber of Commerce, he was instrumental in organizing Wauconda's first rodeo, and as President of the Wauconda Park District he helped acquire land that would become Cook's Park.

Mr. De Hesus and his wife, Carrie, spent their early retirement in Phoenix from 1981 to about 2000, when they moved to Grayslake to be near family. Mrs. De Hesus preceded him in death in 2014, and Mr. De Hesus passed away in 2018, at the age of 101 years. He had been honored to learn that friends had begun a scholarship fund in his name with the American Legion Post 911.

Two Wauconda High School Seniors were each awarded a $4,000 scholarship at Monday's Honors Night. Each was selected based on academic performance, involvement in extra-curricular activities and financial need. Recipients Carlye Pichman will attend Augustana College as a Business Administration and Theatre major, and Jorge Morales will attend the University of Illinois as an Accounting major. The scholarships were presented by daughters Melanie De Hesus Houser and Denise De Hesus, and grandson Adam De Hesus Schneider.