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DIXON – John L.Weitzel, 84, of Dixon, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, at his home, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born May 24, 1933, in Dixon, the son of John and Anna (Feltes) Weitzel. He married Susan Rock on June 22, 1957, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past June. The couple were blessed with four children, and his family was a very important part of his life.
John graduated in 1952 from Dixon High School, and entered the military, serving in the Navy and Marines for 4 years. The health field was the career path he chose to pursue, first as an X-ray technician, both at Jane Lamb Hospital in Clinton, Iowa, and Community General Hospital in Sterling. He later became Director of Radiology at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, and then was the first clinical director of the School of Radiologic Technology at Sauk Valley College, retiring in 1993 from Commonwealth Edison Health Physics Department, where he was in charge of the radiation protection department.
After retiring, John pursued his passion for photography, going into business as Distinctive Images, selling his photos at area art shows.
John worked hard at giving back to his community, serving on the Dixon Riverfront Commission. He was past president of the Dixon Tourism Commission, and on the Dixon Planning Commission. He was a member of Dixon Noon Lions Club, and was honored as Lion of the Year in 1993.
Being an avid gardener, as you can see when you are welcomed into Dixon, John was honored as having the “Lawn of the Month” on two occasions. He was an active member of Dixon Men’s Garden Club.
In 2001, John approached Mayor Burke with a proposal to build a veterans park in Dixon to honor those who served. His dream came to fruition with the building of Dixon Memorial Veterans Park. John served as chairman of the Veterans Commission from 2001 to 2005.
John was an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon, where he served on the Liturgical Commission, Society of St. Vincent DePaul, and Rehab for Dignity Committee.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Susan; children, Joy (Todd) Pitman of Dixon, Mary (Steve) Koch of Glen Ellyn, Michael (Ellen) Weitzel of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and Patrick (Jackie) Weitzel of Dixon; 10 grandchildren, Kristen (Dave) Hansen of Burlington, Wisconsin, Drew and Jacob Koch of Chicago, Allison Koch of Glen Ellyn, Alex Weitzel of Orlando, Florida, Dillon, Reagan, and Emma Weitzel of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Luke (Ashlie) Miller of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Ashley (Martin) Teniente of Austin, Texas; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, James (Molly) Weitzel and William (Dixie) Weitzel, both of Dixon; one sister, Julia (Herman) Johnson of Harmon; and several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Nancy Jo Munson, Norma Jean Anderson, and Mary JoAnne Munson; and two brothers, Joe and Larry Weitzel.
Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with a scripture service at 5 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Dixon. The funeral will be Monday, beginning with a 10 a.m. prayer service at the funeral home, followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon, with the Rev. Colin Easton officiating. Burial, with military honors accorded by the Dixon combined veterans group, will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon.
Memorials have been established to Serenity Hospice & Home, St. Vincent DePaul Society, and St. Mary School in Dixon.
Visit thejonesfh.com to send condolences.