JOHN H. PAUTLER, 96, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 7:00 am, Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at Our Lady Of The Snows, Belleville, Illinois. John was born to the late Joseph and Elizabeth (nee Kreher) Pautler on March 6, 1914 in Evansville, Illinois. John married Thelma Simpson on July 25, 1938 at Evansville, Illinois; she preceded him in death on October 27, 1948. He then married Olga Yvonne Simpson on February 6, 1950 at Chester, Illinois; she preceded him in death on September 12, 2002. He purchased a farm north of Chester, and moved there in December of 1943. Although the farm was not a large scale operation, 260 acres in all, it was the only source of income for the family, and eventually for the family of Richard as well. Soil conservation was a very important part of this operation, and in 1952 John received a plaque from Governor Stevenson for outstanding achievement in soil conservation. Producing and raising quality livestock consisting of cattle and hogs was another important source of income and pride, as well. In 1968 John was given the Outstanding Livestock Farmer of Randolph County award. In 1972 the United Press International had a featured write up of the Pautler farm that appeared in the daily papers all over the country as well as in Japan and his picture and write up appeared in papers behind the Iron Curtain in Russia. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Chester, Illinois. He was a 3rd Degree Knight at the Knight of Columbus #1952, Evansville, Illinois and a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Fort Kaskaskia Assembly. He was a member of the Randolph County Farm Bureau and active in the Soil Conservation and Farm Management. He had also been a member of the Gateway Getaway Camping Club. Survivors: 1 Daughter Susan (James) Linback Escondido, CA 3 Sons Thomas (Sue) Pautler Newman Lake, WA Charles (Jan) Pautler Belleville, IL J. Stephen (Mary) Pautler Kerrville, TX 1 Daughter-in-law Frances Pautler Ellis Grove, IL 1 Sister Cecilia Stork Sparta, IL 13 Grandchildren 6 Great Grandchildren Preceded in death by: Parents, Wives - Thelma & Yvonne, 1 Son - Richard Pautler, 2 Brothers - Anthony J. and Herbert Pautler, 3 Sisters - Olivia Pautler, Victoria Ernst and Elfrieda"Pat" Pautler and 1 Great Granddaughter - Nora Pautler Funeral Mass: 11:00 am, Monday, February 21, 2011 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Chester, Illinois Officiating: Father Gene Wojcik Visitation: Sunday - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday - 7:30 am - 10:45 am Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois Interment: St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery Evansville, Illinois Memorials: St. Mary's Catholic School Chester, Illinois
