John L. Wright MD Obituary (1920 - 2015)

John L. Wright, MDrnrnBLOOMINGTON John Leslie Wright, MD, 95, of Bloomington, a longtime area orthopeadic surgeon, died at 9:15 a.m. Thursday (August 6, 2015) at Heartland Healthcare Center, Normal.Visitation will be Friday (August 14, 2015) from 10:00 to 11:00 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 11:00 am, with the Rev. Paul Stroup officiating. A private burial for family will be in the Rosewood Cemetery, West Twin Grove, Illinois 9 West, Bloomington.Memorials may be made to Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarship Fund or to a charity of the donors choice.John was born January 8, 1920, in Bloomington, the son of Frank and Ruth Bramwell Wright. He married Shirley Jean Barr on May 11, 1942. She preceded him in death in 2006.He was also preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Frank Wright, MD; one sister, Alice Wright Barnard; and one son-in-law, Andrew J Bartolone, MD.He married Vivian Brigham Kraft on April 28, 2007, in Memphis, TN. She survives. John was the perfect companion. I will miss him so much.He is also survived by:rnFive children - Judy Wright (Andrew) Bartolone, MD, Bloomington; Barbara Wright (Ronald) Swanson, LeRoy; Patricia (Gary) Wright Corbett, Orlando, FL; John (Carolyn) Wright, Jr, Cooksville; and Gretchen, aka Dixie (Andrew) Wright Anderson, Bloomington. Fifteen grandchildren - John David (Carla) Olson, Sarah (Rodney) Olson Litwiller, Andrew Wright Bartolone, Julia (Aaron) Bartolone Reiners, Ronald (Marlene) Roy Swanson, Leslie (Jennifer) Ashton Swanson, Timothy Allen Barr Swanson, Kathryn (Bruce) Corbett Erickson, Bethany (Adam) Corbett Stone, Meghan Corbett Cano, Richard James Corbett, John L Wright, III, Eric Cooper Wright, Drue (Danielle) Christopher Anderson, and Kristin (Patrick) Anderson Rees. Thirteen great-grandchildrenSamantha and Alexis Olson, Veronica, Victoria and Rylee Swanson, Morgan Lemmel, Reed and Liam Swanson, Molly and Corbett Erickson, Gabe Cano, Liam and Ryan Anderson. Two great, great-grandchildren - Charlee Rae Puzauskas and Lakynn HendrenrnTwo step children - Royce (Karen) Kraft, Towanda, and Lynn (John) Hostetler, Memphis, TN. Two step grandchildren Abby Fint, Bloomington, and Elizabeth Fint, Lyons, CO.Dr Wright was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington.John graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University where he met his beloved wife, Shirley Jean Barr. He greatly supported higher education and encouraged his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, being one of a family of six generations to graduate from Illinois Wesleyan University. John also served in the United State Army during World War Two.Dr Wright received his medical degree from the University of Illinois - Chicago. He completed his medical internship at Methodist Hospital in Peoria, IL. He completed his training in orthopeadic surgery at Tulane University-Oschner Clinic in New Orleans, LA, returning home to Bloomington where is was in private practice 40 years.He was a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.His memberships included: American Medical Association, American Fracture Association, Illinois State Medical Society, McLean Area Medical Association, McLean County Medical Society, Illinois Wesleyan University and Tulane Caldwell Alumni Associations, Freemasons, Shriners, Bloomington Consistory, and Bloomington Country Club.John and Jean spent 64 years together. They were married in 1942, beginning what was to be a long love affair which was the model of attainment for all who knew them. Always John loved being a husband, father, and grandfather, giving his family cherished memories of happy and loving times.John and Jean loved to travel with their family. They made many trips across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They enjoyed spending their summers Up North at family lake-front cabins in Minnesota.John and Jean were dear friends of Vivian and Chuck (Brigham) Kraft of rural Towanda. In their twilight years, John and Vivian, widows, were married, once again uniting the two families.Dad, you were an amazing man that we loved so much. You were so smart, funny, passionate, and compassionate. An adventurer! You loved to learn and you taught us all so much. You were such a storyteller who loved to share our familys heritage, a farm boy who became a brilliant Orthopeadic surgeon, a world traveler, and a devoted father and grandfather who showered us with love, encouragement, and support. What a wonderful, rich, and full life youve had!Rest well. Our tears are full of love, beautiful memories, and peace knowing you are with mom and can give her endless kisses from us!