John O. Huetsch, of Waterloo, died September 7, 2015.

He was born May 25, 1928, in St. Louis, son of the late John and Adeline Huetsch (nee Feldhaus).

John was a three-war veteran, serving from 1945-1947 in the South Pacific Indian Ocean aboard troop transports and supply ships.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 30 years, 23 years active and seven years in the Fleet Reserve, at which time he was formally retired by the Secretary of the Navy.

He attained the enlisted rank of first sergeant. He was then appointed a warrant officer. He attained the rank of chief warrant officer at his time of retirement.

He was also a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was awarded numerous military decorations for service during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

After leaving active service he was employed with the Army Aviation Systems Command and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He retired from civil service after 20 years, at which time he was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service.

John served two terms each as alderman and mayor for the city of Waterloo. He is a former member of the Federal Executive Board of St. Louis. He served more than 20 years as president and chairman of the board of directors of State Bank of Waterloo. He is a lifetime member at large of the VFW.

He was general manager of the Kaskaskia Regional Port District from 1988 to 1995. Before working for the port district he worked as the executive officer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis.

He completed his formal education while in service, earning his bachelor of science from the University of Oklahoma.

He was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Church in Waterloo.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maydell Huetsch (nee Schilling); parents and brothers and sisters Herbert Huetsch, Norman Huetsch, Herman Huetsch, Delores Guebert, Dorothy Karban and Ardell Huetsch.

He is survived by his sons Jay (Mary Ellen) Huetsch, Steve (Kim) Huetsch, Randy (Julie) Huetsch; daughter Lynne (Randy) Duren; nine grandchildren, John C. Huetsch, Mark A. Huetsch, Michael C. Huetsch, Amy E. Huetsch, Jessica N. Thompson, Meaghan L. Huetsch, Christopher J. Huetsch, Matthew K. Huetsch and Alex R. Ford; great-grandson Randy E. Thompson; sisters Mary Ann (Erwin) Rensing and Helen (Gene) Hon; and nieces and nephews.
Visitation is Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Thursday, Sept. 10, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Sept. 10, at 11 a.m., at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Waterloo, Father Osang Idagbo C.M. officiating.

Interment will follow at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Waterloo.

As an expression of sympathy memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Ss. Peter & Paul Education First Program.