John W. “Jack” Wottowa, 94, of Belleville, IL, was born on July 28, 1930, and passed away peacefully Saturday, September 14, 2024, surrounded by family at the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine Dammert Geriatric Center in Belleville, IL.
He was a devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Jack was the embodiment of the values of the fraternal organizations he was a lifelong member of, an active participant and leader of his community, and a lifelong devoted Catholic. Jack will be remembered for his passion for the things he loved: his family, music, and his faith.
Jack was founder and operator of the Wottowa Insurance Agency, Inc. which continues to operate today. He was an usher and a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish, and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1028 for over 50 years. Jack was a past president and district governor of the St. Clair County Serra Club and a board member of Catholic Fraternal Life for over 45 years. He was a past member of a number of fraternal organizations including the Belleville/Swansea Moose Family Fraternity, Catholic Knights & Ladies of Illinois, and the Belleville Midtown Noon Lions Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil F. and Mayme, nee Stetzner, Wottowa; three brothers, Lee (Ruth) Wottowa, Edward Wottowa, and Vernon (Dorothy) Wottowa; three sisters, Marie Wottowa, Laura Dare, a sister in infancy, Mary Wottowa; and brother-in-law, John Rorah.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 plus years, Margaret Ann Wottowa, nee Trelford; his four children, Kate (Kathy Wallace) Wottowa, Rebecca (James) Schweiss, Christopher (Catherine Hart) Wottowa, and John (Denise) Wottowa, Jr; his six grandchildren, Hannah (Sean Vaughan) Schweiss, Helena (Anthony) Imperiale, Jack Wottowa, Margo (Justin) Bean, Isabel Wottowa, and Maxwell Wottowa; his two great-grandchildren, Izaiah Vaughan and Charlotte Imperiale; his sister-in-law, Rose Wottowa; sisters-in-law, Sally Rorah and Kate (Cliff) Withers; brother-in-law, Jim (Pat) Trelford; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to St. Clair County Serra Club, St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL, or in the form of masses. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Chapel of the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:15 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Chapel of the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Robert Morin, OMI, and Rev. Kenneth York concelebrating.
Burial of cremated remains will be held at a later date at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
