John Adolf, Director of Adolf Funeral Services, helps families deal with the loss of a dear loved one. On August 29th, his own father, Jack Adolf, passed away at age 88, and it was John’s turn to experience a devastating loss.
“The loss of a parent is never easy, even for a funeral director,” explained Adolf. “When you watch a beloved family member deal with a variety of illnesses over several years, as we did with my dad’s cancer and dementia, you learn a lot about who you are. Character is so important, and while it’s developed over a lifetime, it begins with your parents. My brother, my five sisters, and I were so lucky to have great parents.”
Although Adolf’s siblings live in different parts of the country, they were fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time together prior to Jack’s death. “We reminisced about all the good experiences we had with our parents, and truly made the best of the time we had together,” he said. “The simple things you can do for each other at the end of someone’s life become very important and meaningful.”
Adolf views the experience as an opportunity to turn something sad into a positive experience and to become a better person. “Looking back, this was a great learning experience for our family,” he said. “Everyone looks at the past with a different perspective. Don’t look back at things that weren’t so pleasant. It’s a waste of precious time, and in the end it doesn’t make any difference. It’s so important to make the most of the time you spend with your family. Life is short; take the high road, and you’ll never have any regrets.”
Adolf has counseled many families during his 40 years in funeral service. “Doing what we do is not easy,” he added. “You don’t get used to being around death, even if you’re a funeral director.”
Adolf Funeral Home & Cremation Services
John R. Adolf, Director
7000 South Madison Street
Willowbrook, IL 60527
630-325-2300
2921 South Harlem Avenue
Berwyn, IL 60402
708-484-4111