Cletus William Zotz, age 68, of O'Fallon, Ill., born April 30, 1947 in Belleville, Ill., died February 14, 2016 at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Clete grew up in O'Fallon and graduated from O'Fallon Township High School in 1965. He loved life, living with energy, enthusiasm, integrity, honesty, and a strong work ethic. He previously worked transporting cars for Complete Transit prior to joining his wife's family business, the historic Schwarz Furniture Store in downtown O'Fallon. Along with his wife Mary Kay, he worked there as the General Sales Manager for the next 35 years, and was a member of O'Fallon Downtown Merchants Association, and lifetime member of O'Fallon Main Street. Founded in 1894, Schwarz Furniture was presented with the 2011 Heritage Award by the O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce for recognition of 117 years of business to the community.

Clete was a former member of O'Fallon United Church of Christ, where he had served as an elder and President of the Consistory. He and his family had been members of First Baptist Church O'Fallon for several years.
Being the active outdoorsman that he was and member of the O'Fallon Sportsmen's Club, Clete loved nature and all it offered. He made a habitat for many animals in his backyard where he spent countless hours and enjoyed hunting.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leroy "Bill" and Verla, nee Keck, Zotz, and his good friend and brother-in-law Ralph Schulte.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Kay, nee Glenn, Zotz, their children Brett (Tricia) Zotz & children of Fairview Heights, Ill., Stephanie (Aaron) Sherman & children of Benton, Ill., and Brandi (Joshua) Richendollar & children of Centralia, Ill., and his sister Darlene Schulte of O'Fallon. He loved his grandchildren and his many nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations are suggested to First Baptist Church O'Fallon, Siteman Cancer Center, or Cardinal Glennon Foundation.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon, and from 10:00 am – 10:45 am, Friday, February 19, 2016 at First Baptist Church, O'Fallon.

Funeral: 11:00 am, Friday, February 19, 2016 at First Baptist Church O'Fallon, with Revs. Doug Munton and Skip Leininger officiating. Burial will follow at O'Fallon City Cemetery.