John Bernard Wellen

John Bernard Wellen, a longtime resident of Oak Park, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026. Born in Chicago, Illinois on December 18, 1940, to Mary (Dyak) and Alvin Wellen, he attended St. Matthew Lutheran School and graduated from Luther North High School, Chicago, Illinois, in 1957. He enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1960-1962 as a teletype operator in Thailand. After his discharge, he enrolled in college and was a 1967 graduate of Concordia Teachers College (Concordia University Chicago) in River Forest, Illinois, where he received his B.A. in Education.

John served several congregations and schools in Chicago, Illinois. In 1969, Jehovah Lutheran School extended his first Diploma of Vocation as a commissioned teacher to teach fifth and sixth grade. When completing his master’s degree in church music, he was First Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s organist and choir director, and third and fourth grade teacher in the school. In 1975, he received his Master of Church Music from Concordia University Chicago in River Forest. In 1977, he became director of music for St. John’s Lutheran Church and eighth grade homeroom teacher for the school. He remained at St. John’s for twenty years until 1997, when he was called as Minister of Music for St. Philip Lutheran church, parish school, and preschool/childcare center. In 2003, John retired as an educator but continued to play the organ for the Resurrection Lutheran Church in River Forest, Illinois.

John had three loves: his Lord, his family, and his music when he was playing the organ, directing choirs and handbells. He was passionate about the Chicago Cubs, jazz music, volunteering at Oak Park Library’s Book Fair, and he loved playing the accordion for friends and family and would challenge anyone to a game of cribbage.

John B. Wellen is survived by his wife, Lauren (Clark), whom he married in 1970. They were blessed with two sons: John (Laurel) of Corona, California and Robert (Amorie) of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Molly, Mason, Carter, Beau, and Mae and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Alvin.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 25th at 10 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. at Concordia University Chicago Chapel, 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, Illinois 60305.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the John B. Wellen Music Scholarship, St. John’s Lutheran Church and School, 4939 W. Montrose, Chicago, IL 60641, 773-736-1112, https://JohnBWellenMusicScholarship.