When it came to lifetime service for the sport of wrestling, John Illengwarth was a heavyweight.

A high school wrestler at Roselle Park and in college at Lehigh, John remained connected to the sport he loved until his death in 2018.

A standout in football, wrestling and track, John was a two-time district and one-time region champ, placing fifth in the 1960 state tournament and finishing second the following year. At Lehigh, the heavyweight had a record of 39-12, with 23 of his wins coming on falls. He was a three-time NCAA National Tournament qualifier and placed sixth in the nation in 1963. He placed third (1964) and second (1965) in EIWA tournaments.

Receiving his B.A. in Chemistry/Biology and a MBA at Seton Hall, he went on to a career in industrial/commercial real estate as a broker, an investor and in property management.

He also went on to invest in wrestling.

Over the years he contributed to his high school and college wrestling programs. He contributed to the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club, as well as to USA Wrestling’s “Fuel the Dream” program that raised funds to benefit Olympic wrestling teams. His “Big John Fund” annually provided more than 150 season tickets to increase Lehigh student attendance and the goal of gaining long-time supporters.

He produced and financed a feature film, DVD and internet streaming video “Veritas,” about a wrestler who overcame great odds to compete.

John came onto the NJ Chapter’s Board of Directors in 2006 and became assistant secretary; writing the minutes for all the meetings. In 2009 he was elected secretary for the maximum-allowed six years. Among his responsibilities was providing publicity and news to the National Chapter in Oklahoma.

In 2014 he became an Advisory Director.

He also served on the finance, golf and banquet committees.

John was predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Diane.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Kevin McMillon; his son and daughter-in-law, John J. and Lucy Illengwarth; his grandchildren, John Jr. and Diane Illengwarth, and his sister, Laine Cohen.