Lillard, John Stoll
John Stoll Lillard died peacefully at home on January 30, 2024. His beloved wife of 70 years, Paula Polk Lillard, was by his side, and he was able to speak to each of his daughters before passing. John was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 31, 1930. He was a devoted husband and father, and was deeply committed to taking care of his family and community. He and Paula believed in supporting each other’s dreams, as they raised their family of five daughters. John pursued a successful career in business, while cultivating important philanthropic work, and he encouraged Paula in starting a Montessori school and becoming a published author.
John was a loving and steadfast father, supporting his daughters as they developed their own interests and began their own wonderful marriages and families. He was a patient and light-hearted grandfather and great-grandfather, always with a twinkle in his eye and an open lap for a child to crawl into. John was a devout reader, endlessly curious about the world, and he was a careful listener—always learning and always asking relevant questions. He thoughtfully cultivated his wisdom and was able to see clearly through problems and propose solutions, humbly and succinctly.
He was a great man. Great may be the only word to adequately capture his character and accomplishments. He took up space, not because of his size or personality, but because of his intellect, his moral compass, and his quiet charisma. He was the person people turned to when they needed counsel or direction. His advice was never heavy-handed or elaborate. It was concise, clear, and true.
John lifted up those around him with opportunities, both globally and locally. He treated every human being with dignity, respect, and kindness. He was patient, honest, and generous and inspired loyalty and devotion in the people who surrounded him. John supported access to education and security for everyone he loved, and he contributed meaningfully to countless organizations, all with the intention of leaving the world better than when he found it. John was educated at Cincinnati Country Day School and Phillips Academy (Andover), and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1952 with a BA in English. After 40 months in the U.S. Navy, he received an honorable discharge as a LTJG and moved to Cincinnati with Paula and their growing family. He entered the investment counseling business with Scudder, Stevens, and Clark (SS&C), where he spent 22 years and served as a General Partner, President of SS&C of Illinois, and National Marketing Director. John was President of the Cincinnati Symphony, the May Festival, the Financial Analysts Society, and the Racquet Club; a trustee of the Children’s Home, the Boy’s Club, Cincinnati Union Bethel, and several other charitable organizations; and a member of the Commonwealth Club and Commercial Club.
In 1971, the family moved from Cincinnati to Lake Forest, Illinois. In 1978, John became President of JMB Institutional Realty, a subsidiary of JMB Realty. During the succeeding twelve years the company raised funds to acquire more than $10 billion of income property throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. In 1998, he became Chairman of the Board of Wintrust Corporation, a position he held for 10 years. He also served as a director of Cintas Corporation and Stryker Corporation and continued extensive charitable work as a trustee of Ravinia, the Children’s Home & Aid Society, Lake Forest College, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and as President and Life Director of Lake Forest Open Lands Association. John’s incredible legacy will live on in his friends and peers, his community, in the organizations and people he touched, in his business accomplishments, and in the abiding love and continuing service of his family.
John is survived by his wife, Paula; four daughters, Lisa Caldwell (Dave), Lynn Jessen (Ned), Angel Lillard (Bill Detmer), and Paula Preschlack (Jim); nine grandchildren, Cat Myers (George), Claire Foster (Tim), Margaret Kelley (Jonathan), Parlin Jessen, Paula Elliott (Peter), Chaney Detmer-Lillard, Jessica Detmer-Lillard (Jeff Hodgdon), Stanley Preschlack, and Lillard Preschlack; and seven great-grandchildren, Edgar Kelley, Gweneth Kelley, Pauline Kelley, Hazel Foster, Oliver Foster, Grace Myers, and Dani Myers. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Lillard, in 2021.
A memorial service will be held at The Church of the Holy Spirit, 400 E. Westminster, Lake Forest, IL, at 4:00pm on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Forest Bluff School (forestbluffschool.org) or the Jack Miller Center (jackmillercenter.org), two educational organizations that were of great importance to John. For information – Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest,
RTfunerals.com.