John K. Wilen II »Exhibition City News

In the Memorandum: John K. Willen II

December 26, 1956 – Tag 18, 2025

Co-founder of Dimension Works and Industry Trail Blazers

John K. Wilen II, a respected industry leader and co-founder of Dimension Works, passed away on March 18, 2025 at the age of 68. Residents of Grayslake, Illinois, and Wilen, a resident of Glenview, helped the modern exhibition industry with its creative vision, business acumen and personal warmth.

Born on December 26, 1956, in Evanston, Illinois, Wilen pursued a creative path early in her life. After attending art school, he was hired by a small Chicago exhibition company. Four years later, he and three partners founded Dimension Works, Inc. , the company will grow into one of the largest private exhibition companies in the United States. The company is known for its innovation and strong customer relationships, becoming a fixture for the Las Vegas trade fair and eventually expanded to Europe and Brazil.

Former colleagues recall Wilen’s commitment to quality and his ability to balance creative design with business strategy. His work helped define exhibition standards throughout the 1980s and 90s and inspired many exhibition professionals today.

After more than two decades of helm, Wilen and his partners sold the company. He then transitioned to his second career, combining creativity with independence-plate art. He traveled to the National Art Fair, exhibited almost every weekend from April to October, and his detailed and imaginative artwork has won numerous awards.

Later, he and his wife, Debbie, opened a custom-built framework business that allowed him to maintain close relationships with the creative process while working side by side with his partner. After eight years of business, they eventually retired together.

Wilen’s personal life is equally rich. He was an avid motorcycle, and in 1981 he took a three-week road trip with Europe in 1981 after buying a BMW motorcycle in Munich. He also explored the United States on his bike, which included a trip to Alaska with other riders. His next passion is scuba diving – he is in places like Thailand, Cozumel, Kuraco, Belize and Papua New Guinea. He likes to watch hammerhead sharks and pikes and often records his dives in videos.

He was also a skier, starting with the Chestnut Mountain slopes in Illinois and later conquered the peaks of Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail. The highlight of his life was skiing with his children in 2002 in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

John and Debbie share many adventures, from family ski trips to cruises in the Caribbean and Alaska. On their 30th anniversary, they traveled to Hawaii, and on their 40th anniversary, they celebrated the Danube.

Wilen also loves curling and has won many games in Bonspiels competitions across the country.

In his later years, health challenges slowed down travel but gave him more time to work with his family. He cherishes time at home with his grandchildren and keeps close contact with his loved ones.

His wife, Debbie Heinrich Wilen, survived. His children, Jennifer (Michael) Rosenstein and Matthew (Gillian) Wylen; and grandchildren, Lucas, Kenli and Theodore. He also left behind siblings Jan Wilen and Scott (Carol) Wilen. Niece and nephew Daniel Maresca, Justin (Mike) Stonebridge, Michael (Hailey) Wilen and Casey (Christina) Wilen; and many older nieces and nephews. His father, John K. Wilen Jr., his mother, Mary Miller and stepfather, George Miller, died before him.

Memorials and celebrations will be held:

Date/Time: Saturday, May 24, 1pm to 5pm

Place: Glenview Golf Course in a large Italian restaurant

address: 800 Shermer Road, Glenview, IL 60025

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Huntington Disease Association of America.