of Yellville, AR
June 25, 1936 - June 29, 2022
John L. Mizanin (1936-2022)
John passed away peacefully on June 29, 2022 at his home in Yellville, Ark., surrounded by family. He is preceded in death by wife, Ilsa (Zilmer) Mizanin; parents, John and Donna (Lowe) Mizanin; sister, Audrey (Mizanin) Seibt and brothers, Donald and Ronald Mizanin.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth (Sevening) Mizanin, five children and six grandchildren.
John was born in 1936 on the South Side of Chicago, Ill. As a teen, he played football and developed a passion for swimming and diving. He earned a diving scholarship to North Central College in Naperville, Ill. and became a nationally ranked collegiate diver. At North Central, he met Ilsa Zilmer and earned a bachelor's degree in education. He later received a master's degree from Northern Illinois University.
He settled in St. Charles, Ill. and taught history and government for 28 years at Haines Junior High School and St. Charles High School, where he was a well-loved teacher and coach. During summer breaks, he managed pools and coached age group swim teams at Pottawatomie Park and Geneva Park District.
While at the high school, he coached boys and girls swimming and diving and helped lead his teams to six state championships. In 1991, he was inducted into the Illinois Diving Hall of Fame in recognition of his leadership, service and outstanding achievement.
He retired to a lake house in Arkansas and taught courses at Arkansas State University in Mountain Home. For nearly 20 years, he hosted annual reunions for his children and grandchildren at Bull Shoals Lake.
Roller-Burns Funeral Home.
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17 Condolence(s)
Gail Selleg
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Condolences to the Mizanin family. I too was a diver and St Charles high school and had the pleasure of being coached by John. I never referred to him as John though. It was always Mr. Mizanin. He was a fun, intelligent and engaging coach. He would take us divers into the equipment room, turn off the lights and we would all watch film strips of the physics of diving as taught by Hobie Billingsly, the diving coach of University of Indiana. He taught me how to twist like a top. I wish he could have seen my triple-twisting 1 1/2 on the 3-meter board. It was all because of him and those diving mechanics he preached. I think he would have been so proud. It's terrific that he became a Diving Hall of Fame Coach in Illinois, well deserved. As mentioned by Heather Fix, there were these very intense and motivating debates transpiring during practice which could become very loud. His face would get all red, but there was always a twinkle in his eye. He loved it and it was all in good fun. How could it not be with Mr. Mizanin as a coach Fond memories always.
ROBERT KMAN
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Dear Betsy,
I just heard about John's death from Marge Sevening. Please accept my deep sympathy on the loss of your husband. We all have come a long way from Aberdeen St.
Bob Kman
Phoenix
Ben Oswalt
Thursday, August 4, 2022
John was one of the most influential teachers I ever had. He promoted individual thought and employed you to Xpress yourself… Even if no one agreed with you. I had him as a teacher and loved his class. I worked with him as a teacher and it was great fun being his colleague and I also shared time with him in Republican politics. He was a straight shooter, a great friend, a great mentor and a man that I am proud to of called friend. Michele and I send our love and all positive thoughts and prayers to his family at this time.
Ray Rogina
Thursday, July 21, 2022
To the Mizanin Family: John was a colleague of mine on the St. Charles HIgh School faculty. To say that he was one of the stars of the faculty lineup is an understatement. I have talked to many a former student as a faculty member, former faculty member, alderman and mayor who voiced the praises and respect for John and his teaching. Personally, I enjoyed our friendship and collegiality over all those years; God bless him and God bless the Mizanin family.
Ray Rogina
Susan Pertl Albertson
Friday, July 15, 2022
I m so sorry to hear about Mr Mizanin, he was a wonderful teacher, he was so understanding and a wonderful person ! I have thought of him often, I have good memories of him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Rose Murphy
Friday, July 15, 2022
Dear Betsy,
I was so sorry to hear about John. I remember how you, he and my parents had such a wonderful friendship and so many good times together. Hopefully, they will find each other again. I wasn’t fortunate enough to have him as a teacher but know he was much loved by my classmates and his warmth and caring are remembered by them. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rick Page
Friday, July 15, 2022
Mr. Mizanin was by far one of my favorite teachers of all time. His approach in the classroom was unique and very engaging. His style definitely helped students in memorizing dates and events.
On a personal level, I never forgot him. Throughout my life, I've always had thoughts of him and wondered where he was and what he was doing and thought it would cool to reach out to him. Nothing but fond memories here. Happy I got him for a year! I'm saddened by your loss but at the same time uplifted by the fact you have a lifetime of memories to cherish!
Shelley Best Ellerston
Thursday, July 14, 2022
My sympathy to Mr. Mizanin’s family. I was a student in one of his classes at Haines Jr. High in St. Charles, and enjoyed him as an educator. My father was a central administrator, and respected him both as a teacher and coach. There is a saying “A teacher affects eternity. One can never tell where their influence stops.†You can see from the comments here that he impacted his students’ lives and continues to live on through those of us who became educators and continue to carry his influence on through the students they taught, their own children, and others they adopted and mentored, as I’m sure he did. My condolences to the family, but know that he lives on!
Ellen Teichart
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Dear Betsy and family,
I have many happy memories of
times spent together after Swim Meets. John was always such a positive happy, presence. He will be missed by all those who loved him,
Mourn not that he is gone, but rejoice forever that he was.
With love and deepest sympathy,
Ellen Teichart
Sue (Suzy Johnson) Martin
Thursday, July 14, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss. I smile when I think of John. Great memories of him as an expressive teacher and him playing the drums in his basement. He was a great teacher and neighbor. He will truly be missed.
Sheri Ellis
Thursday, July 14, 2022
I was lucky enough to have John as my government teacher as well as my neighbor when he lived in Saint Charles. He was always so full of life and so many wonderful memories of him being in the neighborhood! My deepest sympathies to Betsy and all the kids! He was definitely one of the best!
Julie van Gyseghem
Thursday, July 14, 2022
My deepest condolences to Betsy and family. John was one of my favorite teacher’s at East and I was then blessed to have him as a neighbor. I dearly remember hearing John “bellow†at Jake at 10:30 pm to get the trash out weekly and laughed myself silly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He will always be remembered with the utmost respect and fondness.
Nancy Faber
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Dearest Mr. Mizanin, you were my favorite teacher for many many years. You were new when I sat in your junior high history class - what an influence you had on all of us. Then I found you were the new diving coach at Pottawatomie Park Pool! You coached us for several years before I graduated. I can still see you riding your motorcycle down the hill with a Tiparillo in your mouth.
I remember the night we had won a diving meet and we teepee'd your house. Oh, you were mad!!
Such an amazing educator and person. You never failed to inspire me. Now that I am an educator, I think back to how you lead your class and remember what do to at times. You would stand at attention and click your heels together, hands behind your back, and smile.
Thank you for the good times I had in school. You were always there for the geeks like me, encouraging us and including us. Not enough room here to share all that is in my heart.
God bless.
Bob Teichart
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Betsy
Some of the best times in my life were coaching the St Charles Swimming and Diving Team with John. His counsel to me on how to be a better coach made a difference.
He will be missed but never forgotten
Best to you and the family
Bob Teichart
Heather Cole
Thursday, July 14, 2022
To Mr. Mizanin's family. I posted in FB about his passing and I just wish you could read all the amazing things people are saying. He impacted so many of us in our most formidable years! If you would like friend me on Facebook so you can read them. This site won't let me put the link to my FB so search for me Heather Cole in S. Tampa
Heather Cole
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
There are days I still hear his voice, "What the heck are you afraid of!!!" His voice was so distinctive. When he became really passionate about what he was yelling, his voice often cracked. Mr. Mizanin was my diving coach at STC in the 1980s and I can't express how his stubbornness, and kindness impacted me.
Mr. Mizanin not only believed in me, he challenged me physically, emotionally and mentally. He coached me to multiple state meets and to achieve the school records. Mr Mizanin and I had our disputes. We were both stubborn but I think we both enjoy the debates. I learned a lot from him but most of all he helped me understand myself and how things change when you are tenacious about your goals.
Who I am today is a product of this amazing man.
Rest In Peace Mr. Mizanin! Thank you for helping to make me who I am today!
Maryann Sevening
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Remembering you all during this time, but fond memories of the "cousins" invasion to your home. John had so many stories