John "Jack" Reitman Sr.

1933 - 2009

MONMOUTH - John "Jack" Reitman Sr., 76, of Monmouth, died Thursday, April 23, 2009, at Advocate-Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington.
He was born Feb. 27, 1933, in Little York, the son of William and Anna (Gaylor) Reitman. He was raised and educated in Little York, graduating from Little York High School in 1951.
Jack married Katherine Jean Peck in West Chicago on Jan. 14, 1955, and she survives.
Jack served with the U.S. Army in Korea from 1951-1952.
Jack started his career as a fireman with the Monmouth Fire Department, rising to the rank of captain. He also worked part time for Hoover Memorial Chapel and as a driver for Monmouth Culvert.
Jack moved to Libertyville to assume the position of fire chief in 1969. He remained fire chief of Libertyville until his retirement in 1995. During his 26 years in Libertyville he was responsible for establishing three fires stations, establishing full-time firefighters and equipping the fire department with the latest fire fighting and safety equipment.
In 1978 Chief Reitman was elected as president of the Illinois Fire Chief's Association. In 1979 Chief Reitman was re-elected as president. He was the only chief in the history of the association to be elected president for two consecutive terms.
In 1996 Jack and Jean moved back to Monmouth where Jack became chief of the Monmouth Fire Department from 1996 until 2000. He later served as the mayor of Monmouth from 2001-2005.
Jack was a member of First Christian Church of Monmouth, Monmouth American Legion Post 136, Monmouth Kiwanis Club and Monmouth Jaycees, where he served as president
Survivors include his wife, Jean Reitman of Monmouth; his children, Teresa (Gary) Simon of Lake Zurich, Hugh (Cheryl) Reitman of Grayslake, Rodger Reitman of Montana, John Reitman Jr. of Florida and Deena (Marty) Neal of Libertyville; his grandchildren, Kellen (Justin) Linderman, Tony Simon, Brock Simon, Lindsay Reitman, Ryan (Mary) Reitman, Gina Reitman, Taylor Reitman, Addie Neal, Jack Neal, Sean Neal and Joey Neal; his great-grandchildren, Cameron and Evelyn; his brothers, Bill (Margaret) Reitman of Monmouth and Robert (Virginia) Reitman of Arkansas; and his sister, Shirley Gulberg of Stronghurst.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, at First Christian Church of Monmouth, with the Rev. James Epperson officiating. Burial will be in Warren County Memorial Park, Monmouth. Friends may call after noon on Monday, April 27, at Hoover-Hall Memorial Chapel, Monmouth, where family will be present from 3-7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Monmouth Fire Department or First Christian Church of Monmouth. Online condolences may be left at hooverhall.com.