Father Bakkelund passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024, while under hospice care in Batavia. He was born on April 5, 1984, in Rockford, IL, to Gary D. Bakkelund and Pamela L. May. His first assignment in 2011 was at St. Mary Parish, Huntley. Father Bakkelund will be missed by many residents who remember him fondly. Chris Wojtas, Sun City resident, and a St. Mary’s Parish member, said, “His personality was bigger than life, and you always felt welcome around him as if he opened his arms to receive you.”
Karen Semancik, another Sun City resident, said, “He always took time to talk to you. He was well-spoken and well-educated.”
Father Bakkelund graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Theology and Philosophy from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He continued theological studies at the seminary at The Pontifical North American College, Rome. He received his Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology and Master of Divinity in Dogma at the Gregorian University, Rome. Father Bakkelund was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford, in 2011. He continued his studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, receiving his Licentiate in Sacred Theology.
Along with working with the Huntley community, he taught part-time at Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock. He was assigned Associate Master of Ceremonies for the Diocese, and in 2014, Father Bakkelund was assigned as Diocesan Director of Divine Worship and Master of Ceremonies. He served at St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishes in Crystal Lake. His last assignment at St. Peter Parish, Geneva, led him to the position of Pastor at St. Peter Parish, Geneva, in 2017.
Angie Cianciarulo, Sun City resident said, “Father Bakkelund was fantastic. He was the funniest, a favorite. I remember that he loved being invited for some Pot Roast.”
He was known for his lively sense of humor.
Dino Micheli said, “Father Jon always had a smile. He always had time for you.” He had a quick wit and an easy comeback. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Marcia Elke said, Father Jon once gave my brother-in-law, who lives in Wisconsin, a rosary with Packer colors for beads.” He loved music and was a musician himself, playing the keyboard occasionally.
