John E. Costin

June 20, 1930 John Costin burst upon the scene in a little hospital in Henry, IL on the banks of the Illinois River. John was born to Thirl Costin and Helen Irene Colwell during the great depression. As a result, they lived with his grandparents for a few years.

His young school years started in Leonore, IL, then Tonica, IL, then Lowell until they settled in Toulon, IL. His father couldn’t afford or didn’t believe in allowance so if he wanted anything it was up to him to find work and earn it. Not all bad, he learned to work!  Winter snow shoveling and summer lawn mowing.  The average lawn was about a city lot $0.25, large ones $0.35. 

For a while his father operated Costin’s Garage in Toulon as an auto mechanic where he took John in at age 13 and trained him to be a mechanic as well.

In 1948 his parents took him on a 6,000-mile 3-week vacation that ultimately turned him into a nomad.  Besides other vacations he was blessed to do over 30 wilderness canoe trips with family and friends.

An automobile accident landed him in the hospital in 1951 where he met a nurse trainee named Elizabeth Eisiminger that he married on December 25, 1952. They wrote a song that pretty well described his married life “she had kisses sweeter than wine”. 

In 1952 Uncle Sam insisted on John giving 2 years to the Army Service. So, he spent 2 years in Fort Leonard Wood, MO during the Korean War as the Supply Sergent 201st of the Combat Engineers.

Their kids were a true testament of their love: Kevin Costin – John Costin II – Karen (Jim) Kadar – Eugene (Teresa) Costin – Yvonne (Ted Meissner) Jannie – Daniel (Yvelice) Costin and Jennifer (Kurt) Schmitt. They were married for almost 63 years until Elizabeth passed away on October 15, 2015.

Life took them to a 60-acre farm near Osceola just down the road from the Spoon River where he was thrilled to raise his kids. It was his ideal place. After arriving home from the Army in August 1954 he worked as a mechanic for Sellers Sales & Service and then for a farmer named Dan McKean near Bradford. From there he worked at East Moline International Harvester and C & E Motor Supply. His final employment was when he started Costin Machine & Parts Co in 1977 until his retirement when he turned 87.

He knew if you are lucky enough to stay healthy, being retired lets you have lots of opportunity. He got to spend a lot of time in a canoe in the Boundry Waters Wilderness and Canada’s Quetico Park and thoroughly enjoyed all the wildlife and the fishing.

All in all, a very good life. (Obit written by John Costin himself.)

His other passion was his grandkids, many of which have experienced many canoe trips and vacations with him. And he was so very thankful that these wonderful kids blessed him with several great-grand kids.

John was preceded in death by the love of his life, Elizabeth, son Kevin, grandson Cody Jannie, son-in-law William “Tick” Jannie and daughter-in-law Sandra Costin.

John was a lifetime member of the NRA along with being a member of the Toulon American Legion and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Special thanks to the Galesburg VA, Devere Billingsly, Vicki Clemens, Karen Lindquit and Lu Liebelt.

Memorials may be made to the Henry County Humane Society-Kewanee Chapter.  His best friend was Polly, the dog he rescued from the shelter.

John passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025. The family of John Costin would like to invite you to his Celebration of Life from 12:00 (noon) - 4:00 p.m., Saturday, January 24 at the American Legion, 116 E. Third St., Kewanee. There will be a memorial service at 12:30 p.m. with Pastor Andrew Christman of the Church of Peace officiating. Military rights will be accorded by the Toulon American Legion during the service. Food will be provided from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The family would love to share John's life with you as well as listen to stories from friends and acquaintances.  Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is assisting the family with arrangements.

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