John William Rylander

John W. Rylander, 82 of Sterling, passed away comfortably at his home on January 17, 2026. Memorial services are Monday, February 2nd at 11:00 AM at the East Jordan United Methodist Church, 22027 Polo Road, Sterling, IL. Visitation is two hours prior to services beginning at 9:00 AM. Private family burial will be in Oneida Cemetery, Oneida, Illinois.

John William was born on April 13, 1943, in Galesburg, Illinois the second youngest of four children to Verner and Pauline (Yocum) Rylander of Oneida, Illinois. After graduating from junior and senior high school at ROVA, John earned an education degree from Western Illinois University, and soon thereafter, settled in Sterling to marry and raise a family.

John taught English, Composition, Speech, Drama and Communications at Sterling high School for 37 years. His finest memories of that time were of his colleagues, and the role he played as drama club director. Set design, costuming, staging and at times, the performance itself took a backseat to the students involved in those many productions. He spoke often of them and what they meant to him. John went on to join the board at Timber Lake Playhouse, the summer stock theater in Mount Carroll for 15+ years.

Throughout his life, along with working as a teacher and directing plays, John co-owned a Shell gas station, plowed snow for businesses (The Northland Mall, K-Mart, Parkway) and personal residences, laid dry-wall, and manned the video camera that archived nearly every sporting event at Sterling High.

A man of few hobbies, John was a voracious reader, making monthly trips to the city library with a paper grocery sack brimming with books. Fall found John in the fields and timber surrounding Sterling, shotgun in hand and hunting, a pursuit he passed on to his nephews and grandson. John enjoyed camping with his family and friends, horseback riding, remodeling homes and restoring his “66 Mustang. When given the chance, John opted for pick-up truck and convertibles. He enjoyed getting behind the wheel and taking backroads, driving to antique fairs and estate sales looking for that rare find. He travelled across all of American, visiting every state, Hawaii and Alaska included, as well as numerous countries abroad. His travels took him to the homes of the people he knew, not just to postcard attractions. He preferred Connery as Bond, and Wayne as a cowboy. Did Johne ever get around to cleaning up that garage of his? No, he did not. But he was loved deeply, nonetheless.

On December 11, 2019, John began a new chapter in his life when he married Joyce (Litwiler) Hajostek while on vacation in Sarasota, Florida. He found comfort in having someone to join him on his country drives, library trips and estate sale tours. They enjoyed sitting out back of their home and watching the wildlife, especially the hummingbirds. When John became ill in October 2024, Joyce promised to care for him at home, and she did until his passing.

John was known for his generous spirit and his ability to strike up a conversation anywhere, with anyone, as he never knew a stranger. John will live on in our hearts and our memories and will always be remembered for his unwavering love for his family and friends.

John is survived by his loving wife of 6 years, Joyce Hajostek; daughter, Jennifer and husband, Joseph McCleary; Jen’s children: Alex (Justice) and Kaitie; son, John Rylander, Jr and wife, Rika, and their sons, Tobias and Jesper; as well as great-grandchildren, Cinna, Tino and Addy; step-son, Josh and wife, Melissa Hajostek, their children: Jarret, Kaylee, Jessie, Jema & Jersey; step-daughter, Jacy Hajostek and her children: Trevor (Jessie) and Kalan; step-son, Jate Hajostek and his sons, Jax, Julien, Joel & Jonah and step-great-grandchildren: Easton, Mazzie, Theodore and one lovingly expected. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Ron Moody and many beloved nephews and nieces.

John was preceded in death by his parents; 2 older sisters, Lillian “Lil’ Voss and Karen Moody, a younger brother, Charles “Chuck” Rylander; brother-in-law, Paul Voss and Sister-in-law, Judy Rylander.