John "Jack" Armstrong

John A. "Jack" Armstrong passed away on Tuesday, December 27, at Pleasant View Lutheran Home with his loving family at his side.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 3 at 10:00 am at St. Columba Church officiated by Father David Kipfer. Visitation is 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Monday, January 2 at Ottawa Funeral Home preceded with prayers by the Knights of Columbus at 3:45pm. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery with military honors.

Jack was born to John and Susan (Perhach) Armstrong in Streator on January 4, 1936. He married Shirley McCormick on April 27, 1957 at St Columba Catholic Church by the late Rev. Msgr. F.A. Cleary.

He attended St. Francis grade school and graduated from Marquette High School in 1954. He served two years in the United States Army from August 1958 to August 1960 stationed in Baumholder, Germany with the Big Red One First Division. Shirley resided with him while he was stationed in Germany.

Jack was employed for more than 40 years with Pilkington, NSG, formally Libbey Owens Ford Glass as Shipping Supervisor. He also farmed part time in Rutland Township.

Jack was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, known as Grandpa Jack by many and always gave more than he took. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and going to their activities. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.

After retirement, Jack enjoyed spending the winter months in Sarasota, Florida and traveling with Shirley. He took pride in his yard and enjoyed spending time working on it. An extremely handy man, Jack was always happy to give his children a helping hand with home improvements and other projects. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge, American Legion and Oglesby Elks, and a former member of the Lions Club and Salvation Army, where he served a term as board president.

Surviving family members include his loving wife Shirley, children Mark (Cindy) of Marseilles, Joan (Tom) Bretag of Ottawa, Craig (JoAnn) of Burlington, WI. Grandchildren include Christopher (Stephanie) Armstrong of Muskego, WI; Taylar (Tyler) Goff of Waterford, WI; Abby Bretag of Ottawa; Molly Bretag of Chicago; Alex Bretag of Ottawa; Kenneth Armstrong of Marseilles and Chandlar Armstrong of Marseilles, along with great-grandchildren Emily Armstrong and Deklan Goff of Wisconsin. He is also survived by his brother Don (Linda) Armstrong of Belair, FL, sister-in-law Margaret (David, deceased) Armstrong of Ottawa and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother David.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Armstrong, Kenneth Armstrong, Chandlar Armstrong, Tyler Goff, David (DJ) Armstrong and Kevin McCormick. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Pleasant View Lutheran Home or donor’s choice.