Jack E. Wirtz

Jack Elwyn Wirtz, 91, passed away on February 19, 2025, with his family by his side. A former resident of Old Mill Creek, Illinois, Jack resided in Elizabeth Township since 2000.  Jack graduated from Wauconda High School in 1951, and began grain and dairy farming with his father in Volo, Illinois. In 1956, Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army and trained at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He completed his active-duty service in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was honorably discharged in 1958. Jack met his wife, Lillian, of 65 years, on a blind date in 1956 and married her on January 24, 1959. They settled in Volo, Illinois to continue their married life farming and raising a family. Jack joined the Temple Farms Group in 1968, in Wadsworth, Illinois.  After 20 years, he retired from farming and worked with Petersen Masonry and Boller Construction, until his final retirement and move to Hanover, Illinois. Jack led his life by example. His virtue of honesty, respect, kindness, humor and perseverance were evident in everything he did. Always the first to extend a helping hand to everyone without any hesitation. Jack’s love and care for his family was unyielding and never ending. Jack was born on November 26, 1933, to William and Alice (Rita) Wirtz. He was a member of the Millburn Congregational United Church of Christ.  Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian (Neubert) Wirtz, his parents, his siblings and in-laws: Marvin and Audrey Wirtz, Marion and Philip Brown, and Arnold and Sharon Wirtz. Surviving are his three children: Frederick Wm. (Cathy) Wirtz, Island Park, New York; Linnea Marie Wirtz, Elizabeth, Illinois; Margaret Ann (Robert) Wirtz-Schuster, Antioch, Illinois. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren: William (Brittany) Wirtz, Timothy Wirtz, Emily Wirtz, Jacquelyn (Scott) Grimon, Anna (Matthew Roche) Rindahl, and 5 great-grandchildren: Oliver Grimon, Lydia Grimon, Maisie Grimon, Jackson Rindahl, and Audrey Roche, and sister-in-law Ruth Wirtz. To honor Jack’s life, a private family service is being held at a later date. Online condolences for Jack’s family may be left at www.tristatecremationcenter.com.