John D. Lafond

John David Lafond passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025 in Urbana, Illinois, surrounded by family. John lived a compassionate and spiritual life focusing on service to others, leavened with creativity and humor. All of the people whose lives he touched will remember him as a truly unique individual with a generous heart. John was born on December 30, 1959 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was an extremely intelligent and artistic child, writing imaginative stories and poems, many of which features Leander the Flying Pig. After his family moved to Illinois when John was in junior high school, John became a lifelong fan of the Chicago Bulls, Bears, and Cubs, as well as pro-wrestling great Freddie Blassie. 

He excelled in school, attending college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He began by studying Chemical Engineering but then changed gears and eventually attended the University’s College of Law to graduate as a Doctor of Law in 1986. While studying, John also worked in a welfare rights clinic, which clarified his life’s direction. John passed the bar exam on his first try, and followed his calling into public service law. 

John was a highly spiritual man with a strong need to help others. He spent his entire career as a lawyer working for the Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, providing representation in civil matters for people who would otherwise not be able to afford a lawyer. He was particularly interested in helping the elderly and people with developmental disabilities and their families. His own experience with financial hardship and with his daughter Colleen’s Down Syndrome deepened his understanding and compassion.

Although his work life often dealt with sad and difficult matters, John imbued his life with creativity and humor. He entertained family, co-workers, and friends in his quick and goofy style. Life with John was full of laughter. John also found joy in long-distance running, poetry, writing, singing and acting (both improvisational and scripted). 

One of John’s mottos is, “Once a friend, always a friend," and he made a practice of being kind and not harboring ill thoughts. Another life practice was being very slow to anger. 

John’s faith in Jehovah our Father and Jesus Christ his Son was the guiding light in his life, instilling in him a deep sense of gratitude and purpose to share through action or word to those around him. 

John is survived by his loving wife, Alice Lafond, his daughter, Colleen Lafond, and his bonus children, Jim (Liz) Owens, Angela (Jeremiah) Mancini, Matthew (Christin) Owens, and his bonus grandchildren, Max Owens, Caleb Mancini, Danny Mancini, Hannah Mancini, Breezy Mancini, Parker Owens, and a brother of Parker on the way, and another bonus grandchild, Morgan Wood. He is also survived by his siblings, Gerard Lafond Jr. (Lisa De Niscia), Mary Anheuser (John Hampton), Stephen Lafond (Vicki), Jean Benson (Steve) and Tommy Lafond (Jeanette), sister-in-law Becky Darley (Karl) and several nieces and nephews, as well as several great nieces and nephews. He is further survived by special friends ArLynn Leiber Presser, Zeeb Feywood, Kathleen Jensen, Susan Minyard, many special work colleagues, and spiritual brothers and sisters in Grace Messianic Fellowship. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, Gerard and Shirley Lafond Sr., his bonus grandson, Maddox Owens (Matthew and Christin’s child), and his brother, Mike Lafond. 

A graveside service to honor John’s life will take place on June 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Mount Hope Cemetery, 611 E Pennsylvania Avenue, Champaign, Illinois. To honor his artistic spirit, family and friends are invited to wear colorful attire to celebrate the life of a man whose kindness and strength will continue to inspire all who knew him. 

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center's Champaign Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, Illinois 61820 is assisting the family with arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Land of Lincoln Legal Aid or Champaign County Down Syndrome Network with many sincere thanks. 

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