The Downers Grove American Legion and VFW Posts honored World War II veteran and businessman John Mochel with a color guard on May 16th to celebrate his 100th birthday.
John is best known as the former owner of the Mochel Hardware Store, which his grandfather, Charles Mochel, opened in 1884 with his partner Levi Mertz. Charles handed the Mertz & Mochel Hardware down to his son John Sr., who became the sole proprietor, renaming it Mochel’s Hardware. When his child, John Jr., had learned how to count, he was at the store “to help with inventory” (according to an interview in 2014). He took over the reins in 1960 after returning from his tour of duty with the US Navy during World War II. He operated Mochel Hardware until 1995.
John and his wife, Doris (1927-2023), participated in all aspects of the business and social life of Downers Grove, helping to maintain a vibrant downtown shopping district. John is a life member of the Downers Grove Historical Society and was honored in 2014 with the Society’s Historian of the Year Award. In 2022, the Mochel Family story was highlighted in a special documentary film at a premiere event at the Tivoli Theatre. Watch it here.
