John H. Raddatz (85) of Effingham

John H. Raddatz (USAF, CPD), 85, of Effingham, IL, former Canaryville resident, (Chicago, IL) passed away on Monday, February 19, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham, Illinois with military rites. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html). Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

 John was born on March 24, 1938, the son of Walter (Pa) and Alice (West) Raddatz. He was one of 10 children born to Walter and Alice. He married Helen E. Poe on May 5, 1961 in Chicago, IL. John was born in Chicago, and after being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, he married the love of his life, Helen (Poe) in Chicago, Illinois and together they raised six children while John worked as a police officer for the Chicago Police Department. After retiring from the police department, John and Helen moved to Dieterich, Illinois where John discovered his love of writing while writing editorials for the Effingham Daily News. With the help of his family, he opened R Place Pizza in Dieterich, Illinois and JR’s Pizza and Pasta Works at the mall in Effingham. John’s wife, Helen, became gravely ill in April 2001. Every day for 13 years he sat by her side at Evergreen Nursing facility and devoted his life to making sure that she lived as comfortably as possible. John spent the last of his years bird watching and searching for wildlife in Toad Hollow Woods in Toledo, Illinois with his trusty companions, Gannicus, Samson, Winky and Crybaby. John was one of Chicago's Finest and a proud member of the Canaryville Veterans Association and the Blue Knights.

John is survived by his brother, Martin Raddatz; his children, John M. (Veronica) Raddatz, Kathleen Lankford (Scott Ninker), David (Sarah) Raddatz, Christine (Lloyd) Mock, Thomas (Mollie) Raddatz, and James (Tara) Raddatz; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Alice; his wife, Helen; and 8 of his siblings.