John W. Gomperts, 93, of Urbana passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Brookdale-Canterbury Senior Living Center after a brief illness.

John was born on December 5, 1921, in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. to Frank W. and Filomena DeCarlo Gomperts.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Maryellen, in 1983. He is survived by his children, Donna (Henry) Debelak of Westchester, IL, John D. (Sandy) Gomperts of Urbana, and Richard W. (June) Gomperts of Champaign; grandchildren, Michael (Sue) Poor of Urbana, Lisa Powers of Urbana, Mark Gomperts of Lexington, KY and Scott Gomperts of Chicago; great grandchildren, Sierra and Alex Poor of Urbana.

Although John was an only child, he was raised in a large Italian-American household with his mother, grandparents and several aunts and uncles in Hasting-on-Hudson, N.Y. John enlisted in the United States Navy on July 16, 1942 and served in the Asiatic Pacific area as a Signalman First Class on several Naval destroyers. While attending U.S. Naval Training at the University of Illinois in the summer of 1942, he met Maryellen Brittenham of Urbana. They married in Reno, NV in April 1944. After WWII, they settled in Urbana. In 1948, John was hired as an accounting clerk for the University of Illinois Purchasing Division. He retired as Director of Purchasing in August 1983.

John attributed his love of music to his mother. As a teenager, he played trombone in several dance bands in the New York City area. He also played piano and guitar, and was well known by many for his rich baritone singing voice. Later in life, he discovered ballroom dancing and made it his mission to teach any willing partner to waltz (or the rhumba!). John had an affinity for language and he traveled the globe. In recent decades he was well known on South Padre Island, TX as the singing, dancing "Winter Texan."

Most of all he took immense pride in his family. He reveled in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved him dearly.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 27, 2015 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to a charity of your choice.