Jack Wirtz

OTTAWA – Jack Wirtz, 78, of Ottawa, died Tuesday night, March 12, 2013, at his home at Pleasant View. 
Jack was born Aug. 20, 1934, in Chicago, to Anthony J. and Alida (Freund) Wirtz. He grew up in McHenry and attended McHenry High School and earned the Eagle Scout badge. He received a master's degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana.
He served in the U.S. Army, where he played in the United States Army Band in Fort Chaffe, Ark., for two years. He married Catherine Mary Freund on June 20, 1956, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg. 
He taught orchestra at Springfield schools for two years and Elgin High School for 11 years, including one European concert tour. From 1971 to 1989, he taught at Oak Park-River Forest High School as department head and orchestra director. The orchestra performed in eight European concert tours.
He was a member of St. Columba Catholic Roman Catholic Church in Ottawa. He had been a member and past secretary of the Ottawa Noon Rotary Club. 
He is survived by his wife, Catherine of Ottawa; four children, Raymond J. (Julie) Wirtz of Schaumburg, Jeffrey A. (Kathy) Wirtz of Oak Park, Mark H. (Diane) Wirtz of Selinsgrove, Pa., and Mary C. (Cary) Shinsako of Oak Park; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, March 18, at St. Columba Church in Ottawa, with the Rev. David Kipfer officiating.
The visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Burial will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
Memorials may be directed to St. Columba Building Fund.
Arrangements are through Mueller Funeral Home, 800 First Ave., Ottawa.
The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.MuellerFH.com.
For information, call the funeral home at 815-434-4433.