J Webster Dollahan

J Webster Dollahan was born on February 19, 1937 in Sumner, Illinois. Before he was even three years old, J’s parents Hugh and Agatha, were well aware that screw drivers, wrenches, tools of any kind were J’s favorite toys. If it ticked, had an engine, wheels that turned, or made “motor noises”, it was likely to be disassembled and then reassembled – usually in working order. He just loved gizmos! And that love of all things mechanical and well-crafted never ended.

To teenaged boys, the 50’s era meant hot rods! dragsters! and cars! cars! cars! Anything with four still-inflatable tires and an engine that ran at least occasionally qualified as a car. And J’s mechanical skills could make them run. Along with other car-mad guys, J helped found “The Quarter Milers”. Once organized, the club rented an unused hanger and runway at George Field as a communal workshop and safe racing venue. Membership was a privilege, and expulsion was the penalty for being caught racing on any public road.

In the late ‘50’s, J joined forces with the Paul Stevens family to help design and build a rail dragster (affectionately called “Little Puffer”) which was known nationally for it spectacular speed and its occasional ill-time “puffs.” Nearly seventy years later, the dragster still rumbles, and recently its innovative design and remarkable engineering wowed visitors at a fund-raiser car show benefitting the National Hot Rod Association Museum.

J W’s university education took him from studying engineering at the University of Illinois to a degree in Agri Business at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Back in Lawrence County, he added Dollahan Dozer Service to his farm work and over several years proudly built conservation-focused ponds and terraces throughout Southern Illinois.

J’s life as a classroom teacher came almost by chance. The rage for citizen’s band radios (Breaker, breaker, good buddy!) had sparked J’s interest in HAM radio broadcasting. He had secured his license and helped organize multiple “field days” designed to promote interest in citizen broadcasting when Vincennes University recognized HAM radio’s popularity and scheduled a night class to prepare those seeking broadcast licenses. J was chosen as teacher and went to work quickly showing his vast knowledge of subject matter, great organizing skills, good humor and respect for his students, and the endless creativity which marked his teaching for the next twenty years.

J hand-crafted “Braille-type” wooden blocks so a blind student could understand how switches and circuits worked. He annually led the planting of a greenhouse full of beautiful poinsettias and lilies raised to help support horticulture classes in Lawrenceville. In Robinson, the “Find-the-Problem-and-Fix-It” team competition became the highlight of the school year for J’s auto shop students and the local auto dealers and mechanics who supplied the failing parts. Bragging rights and self-confidence for the students. Diabolical fun for the dealers. And a great time for all! It was also J-Dollahan-the-teacher at his creative best.

In retirement, J kept busy restoring, showing, and racing (yes, racing!) his antique cars. In the annual Newport, Indiana Hill Climb competition, he putt-putted to victory in his one-cylinder, 7-horsepower, 1910 Brush multiple times. He loved it. So did the spectators!

On March 8, 1957 J married Martha Gillespie. During their sixty-eight years together, Martha loyally supported J’s work and his “play” as well. She preceded him in death on May 3, 2025.

Preceding J W. in death were his parents, his step mother June Richey Dollahan, and his spouse Martha.

Survivors include: children, Stephen J. (Estella) Dollahan of Lemoore, California, and Margaret Dollahan of Michigan City, Indiana; sibling, Mary Nell (Errol) Doty of Chico, California; grandchildren, Ailyn Tisado and Martha Agatha Defrost Dollahan; great-grandchildren, Taya Mayari Morales and Lyra Rose Denny; and sisters-in-law Mary Dolak and Frances Brinkley.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CST at Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Burial will be in the Dollahan Cemetery, north of Pinkstaff.