John Charles Wustman, 95, of Urbana entered his eternal rest on Thursday, April 16, 2026 after a brief illness. John was a devoted husband, father, brother, friend and teacher who now joins his beloved wife Nancy in heaven. His smile and positive outlook will be missed by all who knew him.

John was born on Christmas Day, 1930 in Byron Center, Michigan, to Charles and Julia (Ozinga) Wustman. He grew up the oldest of 8 children and attended local schools. It was in his family’s church that John first displayed his musical talent, playing the organ at Sunday services at a young age.

John studied music at Calvin College and with John Kollen at the University of Michigan. He also studied with Leonard Shure after moving to New York City to begin his career as an accompanist. He played with the Robert Shaw Chorale where his met the love of his life, Nancy Murchie. They married in 1954 and had two children. The family moved to Urbana in 1971 after John joined the faculty of the School of Music at the  University of Illinois, where he founded the vocal coaching and accompanying program. 

John’s career highlights include performances at Carnegie Hall and the leading concert halls of five continents, accompanying some of the greatest singers of the 20th century including Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Birgit Nilsson, Regina Crespin, Nicolas Gedda, Carlo Bergonzi and many others. He had a series of televised recitals with Pavarotti including the first ever from the Metropolitan Opera House. He traveled abroad under the aegis of the Fulbright Commission and also the United States State Department teaching master classes in German Lieder in Uruguay, Peru and Argentina. He was also selected serve as a member of the jury of the Fourth International Tschaikowsky Competition.

As much as John loved music, his greatest love was for his family. He is survived by his daughter, Christina Ashworth of Champaign and his son, Charles Wustman and his fiancé MaryAnn Lawrence of Stonington, Connecticut; his grandchildren, Megan Shafer (Robert), John Wustman II (Lauren), and Hugo Wustman; three great-grandchildren; siblings David Wustman, Arnold Tillema, Robert Tillema and Donald Tillema, all of Michigan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Nancy, and siblings James Wustman, Phyllis Krol, and Julius “Skip” Wustman.

A memorial service will be held at Hessel Park Church,700 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign, where John was an active member on Saturday, April 25 at 1pm. Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity. Wustman Obituary 

John Charles Wustman, 95, of Urbana entered his eternal rest on Thursday, April 16, 2026 after a brief illness. John was a devoted husband, father, brother, friend and teacher who now joins his beloved wife Nancy in heaven. His smile and positive outlook will be missed by all who knew him.

John was born on Christmas Day, 1930 in Byron Center, Michigan, to Charles and Julia (Ozinga) Wustman. He grew up the oldest of 8 children and attended local schools. It was in his family’s church that John first displayed his musical talent, playing the organ at Sunday services at a young age.

John studied music at Calvin College and with John Kollen at the University of Michigan. He also studied with Leonard Shure after moving to New York City to begin his career as an accompanist. He played with the Robert Shaw Chorale where his met the love of his life, Nancy Murchie. They married in 1954 and had two children. The family moved to Urbana in 1971 after John joined the faculty of the School of Music at the  University of Illinois, where he founded the vocal coaching and accompanying program. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.