John Brennan

PEORIA — John Brennan, 66, of Peoria died Thursday, July 5, 2018, at the Sharon Elms Health Care Center in Peoria.

Born Oct. 24, 1951, in Sioux City Iowa, John Brennan grew up in Princeton, where he attended Lincoln Elementary School, Logan Junior High School, and Princeton High School, graduating in 1969. In school John excelled in his classes and in athletics, especially baseball. Having a flair for journalism he wrote for the Princeton High School Yearbook.

John had a biting wit and an adventurous spirit. After his first year in college, he travelled to Mississippi to assist in the civil rights work of Charles Evers. He visited Europe and hitchhiked around the United States.

Tragically, John suffered severely from schizophrenia his adult life, starting during his years at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

He is survived by his mother, Joan Brennan; his brother, Terence Brennan; and his sisters, Barbara Brennan, Dawn Brennan, and Lori Kaiping.

Anyone who knew John in Princeton and would like to join his family in honoring his memory, please come to a reception from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21, in the Conference Room of the Bureau County Metro Center, 837 Park Ave. West, Princeton.  For more information, contact Dawn Brennan at brennan4email@gmail.com.

John’s family also suggests memorial contributions to the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America, https://sardaa.org; or to the Princeton Youth Baseball and Softball League, http://www.pybsl.org.

Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.