John Burrill Oviatt II

John Burrill Oviatt II was born on October 29, 1937. He would fill his 84 years with family, friends, hard work and good times. He will be remembered for his booming voice, towering height and a passionate love of the oldies.

John was raised in Cleveland Heights, OH, by Richard and Elizabeth Oviatt as the oldest of three boys. In his youth and college days, he excelled in sports, particularly tennis, golf, and basketball. He attended Euclid High School and went on to graduate from Denison University in Granville, OH. John was also a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity where he earned campus-wide notoriety as a back-to-back intramural ping-pong champ.

John began his career in Cleveland as a sales executive at Dow Chemical, and then moved on with Continental Can. He eventually served 25 years as Vice President of Sales at Clear Lam Packing in Elk Grove Village, IL. John spent the past 19 years as President & CEO of Oviatt & Associates.

In 1963, John married his one and only, Norene Zoller. He embarked on a cross country sales career (Chicago, Indianapolis, New York), and ultimately landed in North Barrington, IL in 1973, where they raised their four children. Biltmore Country Club became their social hub and provided the backdrop to many memorable events; some still claim to hear John’s booming laughter echoing throughout the fairways in the distance. Later, in 1988, John and Norene joined Wynstone Golf Club where they continued to enjoy their love of golf. John’s highlight came on the 12th hole, where he achieved a rare and elusive “albatross.”

John died peacefully in his home on April 30, 2022. His death was preceded by his parents, Richard and Elizabeth Oviatt, as well as his brothers, Bill and Richard Oviatt.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Norene, his children, John (Jane), Kim Wegner (Dennis), Scott (CJ), and Chip (Danielle); his grandchildren: Mary Jane, Lily, Corinne, Max, Owen, Grady, James, Lukas and Josephine, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dan and Bonnie Murphy, and Margaret and Penny Oviatt.

Services will be private.