John Edward Rujawitz 1935-2012

John Edward Rujawitz, of Dixon, was born on April 15, 1935, at Belleville, Illinois a son of John Martin and Frieda (Muskopf) Rujawitz and departed this life at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday evening, February 22, 2012, at his residence near Dixon. John had been in failing health for some time and had attained the age of 76 years, 10 months and 7 days.

John was united in marriage on June 5, 1960, in the Santee Community Church, near Dixon, to Kathleen Fern Rollins and to this union, three sons were born, John David Rujawitz on May 2, 1962; James Edward Rujawitz on December 30, 1967 and Jeffrey Alan Rujawitz on January 23, 1972. John was preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Mallory Payton Rujawitz his sister, Connie Chapman, two brothers-in-law, Harold Chapman and LeRoy Sloan; one sister-in-law, Janice Rujawitz .

John was a member of the United Methodist Church, Dixon; the Liesmann-Roberts American Legion Post No. 298 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4238, both of Dixon and was owner and operator of JR’s Restaurant in Dixon for eight years. He enjoyed gardening, cooking and spending time with his grandchildren, especially taking them fishing at his pond.

In October 1949, at Belleville, Illinois, John entered into active federal service in the United States Army and served until December 31, 1975, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During his military career he served as construction foreman and inspector and a pipeline specialist foreman. John was awarded and entitled to wear the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with Device 60; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Army Commendation Medal; two Overseas Bars; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit with Palm and six Good Conduct Medals. A man of excellent character, Master Sergeant Rujawitz was honorably discharged in 1975, and retired after serving twenty six years in the United States Army.

Those left to mourn the passing of John include: his wife, Kathy, of the home near Dixon; three sons and daughters-in-law, John David and Debra Rujawitz, Jefferson City; James Edward and Janice Rujawitz, St. Peters; Jeffrey Alan and Brenda Rujawitz, Dixon; one brother, Dan Rujawitz, Granite City, Illinois; fourteen grandchildren, Dana (Brad) Gunter, Desiree Smith, John Luke Rujawitz, Katie Rujawitz, Chris Rujawitz, Sarah Rujawitz, Caleb Rujawitz, Justin Rujawitz, Joey Rujawitz, Jenna Rujawitz, Janna Rujawitz, Drake Rujawitz, Eli Rujawitz and Rylee Rujawitz; five great-grandchildren, Taylor, Anna, Nathanael and Autumn Gunter and Logan Zimmerman; brother-in-law, Glenn Clark, Dixon; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Sloan, Dixon; Ruth and Don Veasman, Lone Tree, Colorado and Jackie Weber, state of Tennessee; and many other relatives and friends.

 Funeral services were conducted for John at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 26, 2012, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon with Pastor Tom Cromwell, Living Word Worship Center, Dixon and Pastor Bobby Williford, First Baptist Church , Dixon officiating and a poem was read by John Luke Rujawitz. Two favorite vocal selections, “Hurt and The Healer” and “Never Alone” were played for the service and Mona Jones sung “Far Side Banks of Jordan” and “Some Day”.

Interment with full military honors was in the West Fairview Cemetery, near Dixon, under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Dixon. Pallbearers for John were United States Army Personnel. Honorary pallbearers were Tony Rujawitz, Terry Rujawitz, Mark Chapman, Greg Veasman, Kurt Sloan, Doug Roam and Randy Doyle.

Memorials are suggested by the family to the Disabled Veterans or the Wounded Warriors with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home, Dixon.