Rev. John Wesley Jenkins, 73, a resident of Bethany Retirement Community in Chicago, died on Thursday morning, April 21, 2016, at Methodist Home. He had been challenged with Parkinson’s Disease for 37 years.
The son of the Reverend Farrell and Bonita Jenkins, John Wesley was born in Salem, IL, and graduated from Waukegan H.S., Taylor University in Upland, IN, and Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL.
For 11 years, John served in local United Methodist Church appointments at Aldersgate, Chicago (now merged with Albany Park), Wellington Park, and as associate pastor at Barrington where he was in charge of youth, education, worship, and arts ministries. He was then appointed to serve as director of day treatment at Garfield Park and Lawndale Mental Health Centers of Chicago’s west side. Following that, he became director of the psycho-social rehabilitation services at Community Counseling Centers of Chicago.
Throughout his 23-year extended ministry of the United Methodist Church, John’s guiding principle was Jesus’s compassion and caring for the forgotten, the misunderstood, and the outcasts of society. (He believed that the undergirding source of creativity and direction was the agape love of God expressed in and through Jesus Christ.)
Surviving are brothers Donnell (Marilou) of Galena, IL and Gary (Dorothy Ann) of Vandalia, IL, and many loving nieces and nephews.
In accordance with John’s wishes, his body was cremated and there will be no funeral. A memorial service for family to celebrate his life will be held at a later date.
Donations may be made in his name to www.apdamidwest.org, 630-933-4392.