Dr. John L. Bradley returned to Maple Grove Cemetery near Bonfield, Illinois to reside forever next to Marylyn in the family plot on ___________

Born March 15, 1941 on a farm near Kankakee, Illinois John was ficfth of six children born to Howard and Esther Bradley. Eight Bradley's lived in an old two story house with one indoor toilet and bath. The children actually did walk a mile and half to a one-room country school no matter what the weather.

Life then was different and children were valuable farm hands. At five years of age John drove a Caterpillar tractor. By eight he had his own tractor pulling wagons tto haul feed and water to livestock, till land, harvest crops of corn, oats and beans and mow hay. Homework was taking care of livestock. He and sister Carolyn cared for chickens eventually selling enough eggs to buy the family a television .

In the Herscher High School Class of 59 yearbook it is written "John had a vocabulary far suppressing his elders" which wasn't a compliment. Scholarship in hand he matriculated to The University of Illinois in 59 to "flunk out" in 62.

Out of options John joined the Navy, learned how to take care of teeth, make dentures, wear a Marine uniform, shoot an M14, keep someone from bleeding out and drive an ambulance. At Charlie Med inear Da Nang, Vietnam June to December 65 and all of 66 in Hawaii he was Honorably discharged in December 66. A more mature John than used the GI Bill to return to The University of Illinois where he met pretty red-haired Marylyn Patton Bradley in May 1967

Married in 1969 they were lifelong soulmates for 55 years. Being students was fun and they eventually earned three degrees each for a total of six. According to John "Marylyn was the wind beneath my wings".

Scoutmaster, Confirmation Teacher. "Grownup in Charge" on field trips, lock-ins, Boy Scout and Church camps John was always where everyone played hard, slept in tents, cabins and on random floors. After his 75th nirthday he helped maintain the St. Peter's Episcopal Church and Montessori School grounds. John spent his life "Making Dreams Come True".

Born at the beginning of World War II John was there as the nation transitioned from quasi military leadership to an urban society where excellence in technical and interpersonal relationship skills prevail. He was there as allied health and nursing education transitioned from being primarily personal care based apprenticeships to being highly educated professions that combined advanced scientific knowledge and skills with use of advanced medical technology. His major professional accomplishment was cofounding the Maricopa Community Colleges Organizational Management Program that helps men and women start and own their own businesses and ascend into leadership and entrepreneurial positions.

His final 22 years were at Estrella Mountain Community College where he used the Organizational Management Program to help thousands of men and women master the modern interpersonal and technical management skills each needed to climb their career ladders.

John was Arizona Vocational Educator of the Year.

For more han five decades he had the joy of living with smarter than him Marylyn. Also with son Eirean, daughter Katherine, Son-in-Law Lee, granddaughter Lydia and grandsons Canaan and Deven.

Marylyn passed away in 2025, Mother Esther in 1981, Father Howard in 1985, Brother Jim in 2006 and Sister Alice (Lambert) in 2021. John and Marylyn will reside with them in Maple Grove Cemetery near Bonfield, Illinois. Sisters Susan (Schreifer), Carolyn (Brinkman) and Ruth (Johnson) are still among us.

Family will gather at Maple Grove Cemetery for interment at his gravesite when weather permits.