John Kevin Pilon

John Kevin Pilon of Danville Il passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 2021 after a brief battle with lung cancer. John was born in Champaign, IL on March 23, 1956 to James Downs Pilon, currently residing in Estes Park, Colorado and Ona Lee Sheppard, currently residing in Ridgefield, Washington.

He graduated in 1974 from Park High School in Livingston, MT. In his youth, John loved drama and was involved in multiple productions at the Blue Slipper Theatre in Livingston. His children both remember him being particularly proud of his involvement in a production of The Lion In Winter. In 1975, John enlisted in the Air Force and served until 1992, having achieved the rank of staff sergeant. While enlisted, he specialized in airlift aircraft maintenance and earned multiple medals and ribbons, including Outstanding Unit Awards (one bronze oak leaf cluster), Good Conduct medals (four bronze oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, and Longevity Service Award (three bronze oak leaf clusters). After leaving the Air Force, John held many different jobs, largely related to mechanical work or assembly.

John enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies throughout his life in addition to theatre, including Dungeons and Dragons, building and flying radio control airplanes, building and modifying computers, collecting movies and shows from his younger days, and crafting with a variety of materials. His elder child, PJ, has a special memory of a magic wand he made from wood and glitter paint for a Halloween costume. John was a fan of tongue-in-cheek humor, puns, and generally playing around with the English language.

Along with his parents, John is survived by ten brothers and sisters: Jim G Pilon, Bill (Char) Pilon, Paula Downs, Mike (Leota) Pilon, Robert Pilon, Karen (James) Lindberg, Tom Pilon, Donna (Jeff) LaRock, Linda Schwab, and Andrew (Amber) Pilon; beloved companion, Ruth Crawford; his children: PJ (Michael) Caristi and Jamie Pilon; his grandchildren, TJ and Gabe Caristi; and 15 nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2pm on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1pm to 2pm at the funeral home. As an alternative to flowers, please consider donating to either the Blue Slipper Theater in Livingston, MT or the American Cancer Society.

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

Services Visitation Monday March 15, 2021 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834 Memorial Service Monday March 15, 2021 2:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834