IN LOVING MEMORY OF
James H.
Braatz
November 24, 1929 – September 1, 2015
Obituary
James Howard Braatz, Lt Col, USAF (retired), age 85, of O'Fallon, born November 24, 1929 in Fond du Lac, Wisc. passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.
Jim graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, N. C., in 1951, and earned his graduate degree in Physical Therapy at the Medical College of Virginia in 1952. His lengthy military career began in 1952, and he retired as Chairman, Department of Physical Therapy in 1979 from Scott AFB. He then worked at St. Mary's Hospital in East St. Louis as Director of Physical Therapy, retiring in 1994.
Jim was a member of O'Fallon First United Methodist Church and O'Fallon A.F. & A.M. Lodge 576. He was a life member of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Section on Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. He was also a life member of Military Officers Association of America and Toastmasters International. In his spare time, Jim enjoyed restoring bicycles, and often donated these bikes to underprivileged children. He was a generous and caring husband and father.
He was preceded in death by his parents Emmett and Ina, nee Stockley, Braatz; his first wife Rebecca; and his brothers John and Elwood.
Surviving are his wife, Karen, nee Hooper, Braatz, of O'Fallon; his sons John C. Braatz of Charlotte, N. C., Michael D. (Stacy) Braatz of Wellesley, Mass., step-daughters Megan (Ajay) Pant of Ellicott City, Md., and Lauren (Jay) McElhaney of St. Albans, Mo.; his grandchildren Abby and Theo Braatz; step-grandchildren Arun and Kiran Pant, Evan and Cameron McElhaney; his sister-in-law Pat Braatz of Richmond, Va.; nephew Barry (Susan) Braatz and niece Sharon (Wayne) Whitlock.
Memorial donations are suggested to O'Fallon First United Methodist Church (www.ofallonmethodistchurch.org) or Lewy Body Dementia Assoc. (www.lbda.org)
Memorial Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill., and from 10:00 – 10:45 am, at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church.
Funeral: Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 am, Friday, September 4, 2015, at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, O'Fallon, Ill., with Pastor Ron Dickinson.
Jim graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, N. C., in 1951, and earned his graduate degree in Physical Therapy at the Medical College of Virginia in 1952. His lengthy military career began in 1952, and he retired as Chairman, Department of Physical Therapy in 1979 from Scott AFB. He then worked at St. Mary's Hospital in East St. Louis as Director of Physical Therapy, retiring in 1994.
Jim was a member of O'Fallon First United Methodist Church and O'Fallon A.F. & A.M. Lodge 576. He was a life member of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Section on Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. He was also a life member of Military Officers Association of America and Toastmasters International. In his spare time, Jim enjoyed restoring bicycles, and often donated these bikes to underprivileged children. He was a generous and caring husband and father.
He was preceded in death by his parents Emmett and Ina, nee Stockley, Braatz; his first wife Rebecca; and his brothers John and Elwood.
Surviving are his wife, Karen, nee Hooper, Braatz, of O'Fallon; his sons John C. Braatz of Charlotte, N. C., Michael D. (Stacy) Braatz of Wellesley, Mass., step-daughters Megan (Ajay) Pant of Ellicott City, Md., and Lauren (Jay) McElhaney of St. Albans, Mo.; his grandchildren Abby and Theo Braatz; step-grandchildren Arun and Kiran Pant, Evan and Cameron McElhaney; his sister-in-law Pat Braatz of Richmond, Va.; nephew Barry (Susan) Braatz and niece Sharon (Wayne) Whitlock.
Memorial donations are suggested to O'Fallon First United Methodist Church (www.ofallonmethodistchurch.org) or Lewy Body Dementia Assoc. (www.lbda.org)
Memorial Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill., and from 10:00 – 10:45 am, at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church.
Funeral: Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 am, Friday, September 4, 2015, at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, O'Fallon, Ill., with Pastor Ron Dickinson.
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