John Aloysius Riedell

John Aloysius Riedell, 89, of Germantown Hills, IL passed away at 2:20 pm on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at Snyder Village in Metamora. He was born on May 20, 1932 in Lake View, IA to Joseph A. and Flotilla (Frisbie) Riedell.

John enlisted in the navy out of high school. He then attended St. Benedict College in Atchison, Kansas and received a degree in English. Upon graduation he joined the Papal Volunteers (similar to the Peace Corps) traveling to British Honduras (now Belize) to teach. It was there he met and then married his wife, Serafina M. Gonzalez, on June 4, 1962.  They were married over 60 years.

Surviving are his wife, Serafina of Germantown Hills; sons, Shaun (Amy) Riedell of Springfield, IL, Shane (Beth) Riedell of Bartonville, IL, and Aaron (Karen) Riedell of New London, MN; eight grandchildren; and siblings, Joseph (Elaine) Riedell of Brisbane, CA, Paul (Linda) Riedell, Thomas (Sally) Riedell, Michael (Marjean) Riedell, and Philip Riedell all of Lake View, IA, Margaret Klus of Tigard, OR, Katherine (Gerald) Van Erezwyk of Breda, IA, Dolores Duncan of Sac City, IA, and Yvonne Clausen of Lake View, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, and one sister.

John was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He was a member of St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in rural Metamora. Over his life John worked a variety of jobs but is perhaps best known for his work as an editorial cartoonist and illustrator at the Peoria Journal Star where he worked for 31 years.  His artwork won many awards over the years including five Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge awards for bringing about a better understanding of the American way of life. He enjoyed writing, often around the subject of his Catholic faith, eventually publishing a book of Catholic poetry.  He maintained three websites showcasing his artwork and writings.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Greg Jozefiak officiating. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 with visitation to follow from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills Chapel. Burial will be in St. Mary of Lourdes Cemetery with military rites accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Central Illinois Right to Life, 4100 North Brandywine Drive, #6, Peoria, IL 61614 or to Masses at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.