John Edward Tautz

John Edward Tautz, 90, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on September 26, 2025.

He was born March 27, 1935, in Mt. Carroll to Fred and Mina Tautz. John grew up on the family farm with his brothers Robert and Herb and his sister Eleanor. He attended the Daggert one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade and graduated from Mt. Carroll High School in 1954.

On February 9, 1963, John married the love of his life, Betty Lou Schick. He carried her photo in his wallet every day for the 62 years of their marriage. Together they built a family, a business, and a partnership rooted in resilience, resourcefulness, and love. They raised five children: Karl, Lisa, Laurie, Martha, and Erich.

John’s life was defined by hard work, ingenuity, and quiet strength. A self-taught engineer, farmer, machinist, and jack-of-all-trades, he built his own airstrip and became a licensed private pilot. He served as Road Commissioner for Salem Township in his younger years and later ran Tautz Trenching and Excavating alongside his sons. Always an innovator, he designed his own trenching machine and constantly modified equipment to make it better fit the job at hand. His sharp mind and steady hands could solve problems others deemed impossible.

Beyond his work, John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a steady and calming presence for his children, always ready to help with both life’s big challenges and small problems. His guidance, patience, and quiet strength remain lasting gifts to his family.

John is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Betty; their children, Karl (Shelly) Tautz of Mt. Carroll, IL; Lisa (Jeff) Smith of Arp, TX; Laurie Marx of Bryant, IA; Martha Barnett of Arp, TX; and Erich (Lisa) Tautz of Mt. Carroll, IL; eleven grandchildren, Forrest (Stephanie) Marx, Payton (Sidney) Marx, Erin (Alex) Gutierrez, Mitchell Barnett, Michael Barnett, and Brian Barnett, Allyse (Luke) Friedman, Silas Tautz, Lucas Tautz, Michael Gothard, and Tyler Gothard; and two great-grandchildren, Nienna and Hans. He is also survived by his brother Herb (Dana) Tautz of Lanark, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mina Tautz; his brother, Robert Tautz; and his sister, Eleanor Tautz Brown.

John’s legacy will live on in the land he worked, the machines he built, and most of all, in the family he loved and guided with such quiet strength.