Ben Stein eulogizes John Hughes: Chicago burial

Aug 12, 2009, 9:24 GMT

Ben Stein, who played Ferris Bueller\'s teacher, said after the service: "It was very touching, there was a lot of crying. © Chris Hatcher / PR Photos

Vince Vaughn and Matthew Broderick were among the mourners at John Hughes' funeral yesterday (11.08.09).

The private ceremony took place in a Chicago suburb, with guests proceeding to a Lake Forest cemetery where the legendary film writer and director - who was responsible for a string of hit movies in the 80s and 90s, including 'Home Alone', 'The Breakfast Club', 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and 'Uncle Buck' - was laid to rest.

Ben Stein, who played Ferris Bueller's teacher, said after the service: "It was very touching, there was a lot of crying.

"We'll never see his like again. He was the Wordsworth of the suburban America post-war generation. He was a great, great, great genius and as much of a friend and a great family man as he was a poet."

Stein was among those who gave a speech in tribute to Hughes on the day.

The service lasted two hours, with several mourners saying it had been full of "storytelling".

Hughes passed away aged 59 after suffering a heart attack while visiting family in Manhattan, New York, last week.

He leaves behind wife Nancy, who he was married to for 39 years, sons John and James and four grandchildren.

After his death, a host of stars who had worked with him were quick to pay their respects.

Macaulay Culkin - who starred in 'Home Alone' - said: "I was a fan of both his work and a fan of him as a person. The world has lost not only a quintessential filmmaker whose influence will be felt for generations, but a great and decent man."

'The Breakfast Club' star Molly Ringwald said: "I am stunned and incredibly sad. He was and will always be such an important part of my life."