John C. “Woody” Wojcik, age 88, of Fairview Heights, IL, died peacefully in Edwardsville, IL, on March 4, 2025.
John was born in East St. Louis, IL, to John J. and Pauline (nee Shalapin) Wojcik. John graduated from Assumption High School in 1954 and served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1960. One of his proudest memories was when he was stationed in the Antarctic under Operation Deep Freeze III. He retired after working 36 years as a heavy press operator at Spectrulite Consortium, Inc., in Madison, IL. John began his favorite hobby, wood working in grade school hanging out at the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House (AKA the Settlement House) in East St. Louis, IL. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #592.
He was preceded in death by his parents John J. and Pauline (Shalapin); his in-laws, Lonnie and Viola (Kiefer) Sides; his wife of 60 years, Lillian Marie (Sides); sister-in-law, Sue (Sarff) Sides; and brother-in-law, Larry Sides.
Surviving are his children, Michael (Bobbi), Robert (Mary), Lisa, Thomas (Lisa) and Kathleen Wojcik; grandchildren, Madeline (Andrew Depper), Alexander, Allison, Timothy, Olivia, Danielle, Jeffery and Abigail Wojcik; and great grandchildren, Chase and Tinley Depper.
The family would like to thank the staff and residents from the Cambridge House in Maryville, IL, who gave John such wonderful care and friendship. We would also like to thank Father Chris from St. Boniface Church in Edwardsville, IL, for giving John his last rights, and BJC Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy in Belleville, IL.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Caseyville, IL.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Caseyville, IL, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Caseyville, IL, with Fr. Harold Fisher O.M.I. officiating. Interment will be in St. Adalbert Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.
