John O. Huetsch

John O. Huetsch, of Waterloo, Illinois died September 7, 2015. He was born May 25, 1928 in St. Louis, the son of the late John and Adeline (nee Feldhaus) Huetsch. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maydell (nee Schilling) Huetsch and brothers and sisters Herbert Huetsch, Norman Huetsch, Herman Huetsch, Delores Guebert, Dorothy Karban and Ardell Huetsch. He is survived by his sons Jay (Mary Ellen) Huetsch, Steve (Kim) Huetsch, Randy (Julie) Huetsch, and daughter Lynne (Randy) Duren, nine grandchildren - John C. Huetsch, Mark A. Huetsch, Michael C. Huetsch, Amy E. Huetsch, Jessica N. Thompson, Meaghan L. Huetsch, Christopher J. Huetsch, Matthew K. Huetsch and Alex R. Ford; great-grandson Randy E. Thompson, plus two sisters, Mary Ann (Erwin) Rensing and Helen (Gene) Hon, and nieces and nephews.

John was a three war veteran, serving 1945-1947 in the South Pacific Indian Ocean areas aboard troop transports/supply ships. He served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, 23 years active and in the Fleet Reserve for 7 years, at which time he was formally retired by the Secretary of the Navy. He attained the enlisted rank of First Sergeant. He was then appointed a Warrant Officer. He attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer at his time of retirement. He was also a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was awarded numerous military decorations for service during the Korean and Vietnam wars. After leaving active service he was employed with the Army Aviation Systems Command and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He retired from civil service after 20 years at which time he was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service.

John served two terms each as alderman and mayor for the City of Waterloo. He is a former member of the Federal Executive Board of St. Louis. He served over 20 years as President/Chairman of the Board of Directors of State Bank of Waterloo. He is a lifetime member at large of the VFW. He was general manager of the Kaskaskia Regional Port District from 1988 to 1995. Before working for the port district he worked as the executive officer at the US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis. He completed his formal education while in service receiving his BS degree from the University of Oklahoma. He was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Waterloo.

Visitation will be at Quernheim Funeral Home from 4 PM to 8 PM Wednesday September 9, 2015 and 9 AM to 10:30 AM Thursday.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 AM Thursday September 10, 2015 at SS Peter & Paul Church Waterloo, IL with Father Osang Idagbo C.M. officiating and burial will be at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery in Waterloo, IL.

As an expression of sympathy memorials may be made to:

Hospice of Southern Illinois or Saints Peter and Paul Education First Program