John Loren Weitzel

John L.Weitzel, age 84, of Dixon, passed away August 8, 2017, in 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 June 22, 1957, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past June. The couple were blessed with 4 children and his family was a very important part of his life. John graduated from Dixon High School in 1952, 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 in Sterling, and the was first Clinical Director of the School of Radiologic Technology at Sauk Valley College, retiring from Commonwealth Edison Health Physics Department in 1993 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, was past President of the Dixon Tourism Commission, and on the Dixon Planning Commission. He was a member of the 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 the 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 the 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, the Society of St. Vincent DePaul, and the 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, WI, and Patrick (Jackie) Weitzel of Dixon; 10 grandchildren, Kristen (Dave) Hansen of Burlington, WI, Drew and Jacob Koch of Chicago, Allison Koch of Glen Ellyn, Alex Weitzel of Orlando, FL, Dillon, Reagan, and Emma Weitzel of Cedarburg, WI, Luke (Ashlie) Miller of Fort Collins, CO, and Ashley (Martin) Teniente of Austin, TX; 3 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers James (Molly) Weitzel and William (Dixie) Weitzel both of Dixon; 1 sister Julia (Herman) Johnson of Harmon; several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters Nancy Jo Munson, Norma Jean Anderson, and Mary JoAnne Munson; 2 brothers Joe and Larry Weitzel. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 14, 2017, beginning with a 10:00 AM Prayer service in the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon, followed by a 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon, with the Rev. Colin Easton, officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon with Military Graveside Honors by the Combined Veterans Group. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 13, from 2:00 until 5:00 PM in the funeral home with a scripture service at 5:00 PM. Memorials have been established to Serenity Hospice, St. Vincent DePaul Society, and St. Mary School in Dixon.

John Loren Weitzel

May 24, 1933 - August 8, 2017