LAPRAIRIE — John B. Loeschen, 91, of LaPrairie, passed away at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.
He was born Dec. 6, 1918, in Flatville, the eighth of 11 children born to Borgert and Trentje (Osterbur) Loeschen.
John was baptized Jan. 12, 1919, and confirmed March 25, 1934, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville.
He married Patricia Ann Maxwell Jan. 25, 1947, in Keyport, N.J. She preceded him in death Jan. 3, 1993. He later married Roxine Dosier Sept. 25, 1997, in Columbia, Mo. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Steven Loeschen (Karen)of Golden; three daughters, Margaret “Peg” Webster (Wes) of Apex, N.C., Julie Cross of Quincy and Kimberly Wright (Randy) of Washington; and one step-daughter, Lu Ann Freeman (Bruce) of Quincy.
He was a loving grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 11 stepgrandchildren, including Ann Wedig of Shakopee, Minn., Kati Wedig of Minneapolis, Cristin Wedig of Quincy, Travis Loeschen of Urbana, Aaryn Guta of Holly Springs, N.C., Ashley Liggitt of Cary, N.C., Alana Catalano of Holly Springs, N.C., Andrew Bastic of Bitburg, Germany, Lindsey Nelson of Chicago, Reagan Nelson of St. Louis, Derek Nelson of San Antonio, John Wright of Atlanta, Doug Wright of Urbana, Elizabeth Winfield and Catherine Freeman, both of Quincy; seven great-grandchildren; eight stepgreat-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Minnie Loeschen of Royal, Lucy Maxwell of Peoria and Jeannine Freyling (Dave) of Decatur; two brothers-in-law, Bill Granger of Florida and Don Maxwell (Judy) of Citrus Springs, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews; and Tena, man’s best friend.
He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Anita Dosier; four brothers, Henry, Albert, William and Bernhard Loeschen; and six sisters, Abbie Price, Frieda Hayn, Margaret Loeschen, Bertha Granger, Helen Brookshier and Mary Ruether.
John coached the Champaign County women’s softball league before he began serving as a reconnaissance pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. He flew over 32 different aircraft including the P51 Mustang. During the service, he played semi-pro baseball, pitching against Bob Feller and Satchel Paige. In 1948, he began working with his brother, Albert, at Al’s Hardware and later became owner of Loeschen Plumbing and Heating in LaPrairie, retiring in 2007 at the age of 88.
He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Golden, a 63-year member of the Golden American Legion Post 802 and the Augusta VFW. He served as the mayor of LaPrairie. John was a passionate lifelong Cubs and Fighting Illini fan and a master storyteller.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Golden, with the Rev. Linda Murray officiating. Interment will follow in Golden Memorial Gardens, with military rites by the Golden American Legion Post 802. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Hunter Funeral Home in Golden. Memorials are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Blessing Foundation or the American Heart Association. You are invited to share your memories of John and leave condolences at www.hunterfh.com.
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LAPRAIRIE — John B. Loeschen, 91, of LaPrairie, passed away at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.
He was born Dec. 6, 1918, in Flatville, the eighth of 11 children born to Borgert and Trentje (Osterbur) Loeschen.
John was baptized Jan. 12, 1919, and confirmed March 25, 1934, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville.
He married Patricia Ann Maxwell Jan. 25, 1947, in Keyport, N.J. She preceded him in death Jan. 3, 1993. He later married Roxine Dosier Sept. 25, 1997, in Columbia, Mo. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Steven Loeschen (Karen)of Golden; three daughters, Margaret “Peg” Webster (Wes) of Apex, N.C., Julie Cross of Quincy and Kimberly Wright (Randy) of Washington; and one step-daughter, Lu Ann Freeman (Bruce) of Quincy.
He was a loving grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 11 stepgrandchildren, including Ann Wedig of Shakopee, Minn., Kati Wedig of Minneapolis, Cristin Wedig of Quincy, Travis Loeschen of Urbana, Aaryn Guta of Holly Springs, N.C., Ashley Liggitt of Cary, N.C., Alana Catalano of Holly Springs, N.C., Andrew Bastic of Bitburg, Germany, Lindsey Nelson of Chicago, Reagan Nelson of St. Louis, Derek Nelson of San Antonio, John Wright of Atlanta, Doug Wright of Urbana, Elizabeth Winfield and Catherine Freeman, both of Quincy; seven great-grandchildren; eight stepgreat-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Minnie Loeschen of Royal, Lucy Maxwell of Peoria and Jeannine Freyling (Dave) of Decatur; two brothers-in-law, Bill Granger of Florida and Don Maxwell (Judy) of Citrus Springs, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews; and Tena, man’s best friend.
He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Anita Dosier; four brothers, Henry, Albert, William and Bernhard Loeschen; and six sisters, Abbie Price, Frieda Hayn, Margaret Loeschen, Bertha Granger, Helen Brookshier and Mary Ruether.
John coached the Champaign County women’s softball league before he began serving as a reconnaissance pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. He flew over 32 different aircraft including the P51 Mustang. During the service, he played semi-pro baseball, pitching against Bob Feller and Satchel Paige. In 1948, he began working with his brother, Albert, at Al’s Hardware and later became owner of Loeschen Plumbing and Heating in LaPrairie, retiring in 2007 at the age of 88.
He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Golden, a 63-year member of the Golden American Legion Post 802 and the Augusta VFW. He served as the mayor of LaPrairie. John was a passionate lifelong Cubs and Fighting Illini fan and a master storyteller.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Golden, with the Rev. Linda Murray officiating. Interment will follow in Golden Memorial Gardens, with military rites by the Golden American Legion Post 802. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Hunter Funeral Home in Golden. Memorials are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Blessing Foundation or the American Heart Association. You are invited to share your memories of John and leave condolences at www.hunterfh.com.
