Dr John D. Bromley

Danville Dr. John D. Bromley, 93, of Danville passed away at his home on July 27, 2022 at 9:47 am.

John was born on February 23, 1929 the son of Harold and Lula (Miller) Bromley in Danville, IL. He married Beverly Sisk in 1981 in Champaign, IL and she survives.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Bromley of Danville, IL, children, Shannon (Brad) Hayes of Georgetown, IL, Mike (Mary) Bromley of Catlin, IL, Brad (Debbie) Bromley of McHenry, IL, stepchildren, Eric (Sally) Middleton of Williamsport, IN and Alan (Tammy) Middleton of Winter Garden, FL, eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

John is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, William Bromley.

John graduated from Danville High School with the class of 1947 and was active in band as a drummer. Playing with the Johnny Hall band around the area. In Shafer Lake, Monticello, IN, he was discovered by Les Browns Band of Renown, toured with their band and made several recordings with Browns band, as their drummer.

He later joined the US Navy and went to Navy Music School and was assigned to serve on the Battleship Missouri. Before going to Kore, the Mighty MO was considered Showboat, due to the signing of the surrender of Japan aboard the deck to close WWII. While using the MO as a showboat all over the world, he played for many dignitaries. The Battleship then did two tours of active duty, during the Korean War. The USS Missouris Unit Band 183 was still playing for battleship reunions and celebrated the 50th anniversary in Seattle, Washington. The band was involved in taking the ship to Hawaii to be the "bookends" in the harbor at Pearl, Playing once more for her fantail. She is now at rest as a National Museum, along with the Battleship Arizona.

After leaving the Navy, he attended Optometry School. He came back to practice in Danville and served this area for the next 40 years. Children who were visually impaired and unable financially to be provided with glasses and visual training became his priority.

He developed a vision program for the United States Olympic volleyball team and continued to work with the University of Illinois girls volleyball team. He also developed a program for the Minnesota Golden Gophers girls volleyball team. He designed a visual program for the National Ski Team. He was the visual coach for the Gold Medal winner in trap shooting. He has had several articles published in the American Academy of sports Vision Journals and served on the board of the International Sports Vision Academy. Lecturing for both at conventions. He also served as president of the East Central Illinois Optometric Society. He was a consultant to the U.S. Olympic team.

He continued playing drums in the area with the Jonny Lew Orchestra and Joe erns (Berkowitz) Band. He has played for Womans club activities, DLO and Sunshine II on several occasions. He then became a member of Medicare 7,8, or 9 Dixieland jazz band from the University of Illinois, giving his time and talents for the University. They opened the David S. Palmer Civic Center. He took time from his practice to promote the University and was a large part of the ONE BILLION dollar fundraiser as the State of Illinois was no longer able to support the University as it had in the past. Playing with Medicare and other bands, John has played in all but 5 states. Playing at the Liberty Bowl, Rose Bowl and Stanford University tailgate for loyal Illini football boosters. He was associated with the Party Line radio program at WDAN. His program was on vision and gave helpful information to the area. He began his program with a 13-week contract and that turned into 13 years on the air.

John was a member of Farmers Chapel United Methodist Church and Past President of the Lincoln United Methodist church Board and Chairman of trustees during the move from the Williams Street Address to the present Vermilion Street location.

He was given his time and talents to the Parkland College "bug" jazz band to keep their music program afloat, as area musicians were needed to do this for Parkland College.

He also was a volunteer at the Danville War Museum, giving tours and explaining its function.

Doctor Bromley has given his entire 75 years to the Danville area with his music and his Optometric profession. He taught and shared his knowledge with several drum students two days a week at MB Music and Sound.

Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois. Pastor Jie Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park with Military Rites accorded by American Legion Post 210. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorials may be in Johns memory to the Farmers Chapel United Methodist Church.

Please join Johns family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .