DATELINE: MOWEAQUA

Richard E. Jostes, 89 of Moweaqua, passed away October 16, 2013 (6:28 a.m.) at Fair Havens Christian Home, Decatur, IL.

Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the South Macon Cemetery, Macon, IL.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Friday in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua, IL.

Full Military Honors by Macon County Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to the Moweaqua Living Memorial Tree Park.

Dick was born August 1, 1924 in Elwin, IL the son of Harry and Freida (Mitchner) Jostes. He married Barbara Jean Andrews on February 8, 1947. She survives.

Dick was an Army Staff Sergeant during World War II and was wounded in the Battle of Bataan by a Japanese sniper. His first duty upon entering the service at 18 years of age was to teach fellow soldiers from Kentucky and Tennessee how to write their names so they could sign their name for their pay. He was awarded two Bronze Stars, one for saving the life of a fellow soldier and the other for taking out a tank with his officer Lt. Strand. Dick received his Purple Heart for rescuing a fellow soldier under fire.

Dick graduated with a B.S. and M.S. from Millikin University and a Specialist Degree from Eastern Illinois University. He taught and coached at Stephen Decatur High School, Avon, IL, Bethany, IL, Moweaqua, IL, and Macon, IL. He was a Principal at both Macon Grade School and Macon High School.

Dick opened Dewitt Savings and Loan and also served as Vice President at Ayars State Bank, both in Moweaqua, IL, until his retirement.

One of his interesting jobs was the three years he worked for Black and Company. The letterman's jacket was a very popular item at the time. He sold many of them. Is your letterman's jacket still in your closet?

He had many part time jobs as he worked as a taxi driver, painted at the school and did houses also, mowed lawns, coached intramural teams, a sports referee, and a park ranger and did carpentry.

Dick was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Moweaqua, Illinois Retired Teachers, The Moweaqua Rotary, Moweaqua American Legion, and a transport volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur, IL. He was a Boy Scout counselor and a community volunteer as well.

A special mention should be made of the many hours (4500) that he gave to St. Mary's Hospital, because that was a special place for him. He loved to talk and had a lot of great conversations with both employees and patients.

Surviving are his wife Barbara; sons, Mark (Diane) Jostes of East Peoria, IL, Brent (Cindy) Jostes of Macon, IL, Randall (Danielle) Jostes of Wheaton, IL; daughter Carol (Bill) Becker of Lincoln, IL; grandchildren: Kay (Paul) Ebelherr, Kellene (John) LaMothe, Leslie (Gary) Klockenga, Craig (Liz) Jostes, Jon Jostes, Michel Jostes, Adam (Becky) Jostes, Thomas Vallina, Joseph (Leanna) Becker, Katherine Becker, Patricia Becker, Daniel Becker; great-grandchildren: Payton, Preston, Kendall, Kate, Madelyn, Evelynn, Brittani, (Dustin); great-great-grandchildren: Dalton and Rylan; and brothers Boyd "Ponch" (Edie) Jostes of Macon, IL and Bill (Norma) Jostes of Vandalia, IL.

Preceding him in death are his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua has been entrusted with the care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com