John P. "Jake" Nitz, Jr., 91, of Illinois City, passed away Friday, August 16, 2019 at Aledo Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Aledo.  Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Andalusia Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.

John was born January 14, 1928 in Andalusia, a son of John P. and Lottie (Bremer) Nitz.  He married Mary L. Ewing on January 24, 1948 in Rock Island.  Mary passed away March 26, 2010.  John worked as a commercial fisherman and owned Jake's Fish and Bait, 2 mi. West of Andalusia, with his wife, Mary, until their retirement in 1988.  John enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting and spending time with his family.

Left to cherish his memory are his children; David (Paula) Nitz, Illinois City; Richard Nitz, Galesburg;  Karen Dohrn, Denver, CO and Sandy (Eugene) Wong, California; sons in law, Mike Crane and Gary Nickell; 10 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; sister, Irma Terry; special friend, Chris McCalley; beloved pet, Frazier and many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; sons, John "Little Jake" Nitz and Doug Nitz; daughters, Vickie Nickell and Rebecca Crane; brother, Raymond Nitz; sisters, Anna Tuttle and Mary Schmidt and a grandson, Timothy Pietz