Maurice Thomas “Jake” Gutzler, age 97 years, 4 months and 12 days, died Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Cedarhurst of Highland, IL. Maurice was born on February 5, 1928, in Highland, IL, the son of Jacob and Ottille Mary (nee Welchlen) Gutzler (both deceased). Maurice’s older brothers Reverend James Jacob Gutzler and Wayne William “Jake” Gutzler are deceased.
Maurice graduated from St. Paul Catholic High School in 1946 and was a member of the basketball team, band and choir. He was also a member of St. Paul Catholic Church where he served as an usher for 30 years. Maurice served on the Finance Committee of the Board for St. Paul Parish and was a member of the St. Paul Holy Name Society where he served as President.
A member of the Knights of Columbus for 79 years, Maurice served as Grand Knight for three terms (1954, 1955 and 1956) and was a member of the Highland Fourth Degree Assembly. Maurice joined the Highland Rotary Club in 1980 serving in several capacities on various committees including President (from 1989-1990) and Assistant to the Governor of Rotary District 6460 (from 1991-1992). He is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Highland Rotary and a Rotary International Benefactor. He enjoyed perfect attendance for over three consecutive decades in the Highland Rotary Club.
In his early years following high school graduation, Maurice had a paper route with Suppiger News Agency and worked at Steiner’s Men’s Wear in Highland. He enjoyed playing softball for the Knights of Columbus Softball Team and was an avid bowler. In 1950, Maurice joined his brother, Wayne, working at Kinnie Tom-Boy Market located on the Highland Square. On May 1, 1957, Maurice and Wayne bought the business from C. Kinnie & Co. operating the grocery store on the town Square for the next seven years. On June 22, 1964, Maurice and Wayne opened Gutzler’s Tom-Boy Market at its new location at the corner of Broadway and Cypress in Highland. After 42 years in the grocery business, Maurice retired on April 1, 1992, selling his interest in Gutzler’s Tom-Boy Market to Wayne. After his brother Wayne passed in 2001, Maurice at the age of 73 began helping his nephews and nieces at Highland’s Tru-Buy (which Wayne opened in the summer of 1978). Maurice stocked shelves and assisted customers until he was 88 years old. Maurice resided at the Highland Home for three decades and served on the Board of Directors there for 13 years. He moved to Cedarhurst of Highland in August 2024.
Maurice is survived by eight nieces and nephews, Thomas (Cynthia) Gutzler, William (Barb) Gutzler, Mary Jo (Ronald) Moss, all of Highland, Kathleen (Douglas) Hastings of Edwardsville, Jean (RJ) Milano of Los Angeles, James (Lori) Gutzler, Janet Laney (Brad Rench), Joseph (Gail) Gutzler, all of Highland.
He is also survived by 22 great nieces and nephews, Christopher (Mary) Gutzler, Jacob (Heather) Gutzler, Zachary (Ashley Bollman) Gutzler, Shana (Charles) Hepner, Chris Harbison, Emily Gutzler, Corey Moss, Chad (Emily) Moss, Analisa (Russell) Eilers, Alexa (Matthew) Huelsmann, Nicole (Craig) Potthast, Meghann (Jim) Stotlar, Nathan (Katie) Hastings, Hillary (Dan) Newman, Brett Gutzler, Ali Milano (fiancé Kyle Awtry), Tyler (Ryen) Milano, Adam Laney, Madeline (fiancé Andrew Sorrell) Laney, Natalie (Robert) Hamm, Andrea (AJ) Burns and Samantha Gutzler. Also surviving are 31 great-great nieces and nephews, 7 great-great-great nieces and nephews, friend Ron Laney as well as special caregivers Paula Henson and Diane Krydynski.
Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, sister-in-law Josephine E. “Joey” Gutzler, niece Nancy (nee Graham) Gutzler, and great niece Melissa (nee Moss) Brown.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Monday, June 23, 2025, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 23, 2025, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL, with Fr. Charles Edwards, Chaplain of the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois, officiating.
Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Education Foundation or Donor’s Choice of Charity.
