John R. Ostanik, age 74 of Collinsville, IL, born November 22, 1946 in Mt. Vernon, IL, passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 surrounded by his family.

John graduated Eastern Illinois University in 1968 with a B.S. in Education and Minor in Economics.  He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 to 1972 and Reserves from 1972 until 1975.  He attained his M.S. in Education/Administration from Southern Illinois University in 1975.  John was a classroom teacher in the Business Department at Collinsville High School and coached football, basketball, track, cross country, and soccer.  He was awarded the "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" in 1996-1997, 2003-2004 and 2006-2007.

He was a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville, and a volunteer Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of the Snows Church.  He was a past President and member of the Collinsville Rotary Club having won the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, Rotary International; past President of the CMT YMCA; board member of Collinsville Ministerial Alliance; and Collinsville Township Trustee from 2005 – 2009.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie (nee Rossio) Ostanik; and an infant sister.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane (nee Brown) Ostanik, whom he married August 19, 1967; two daughters:  Michelle (Scott) Heinlein of Edwardsville, IL and Melissa (Jeff) Wiegers of Highland, IL; four grandchildren:  Hilary (Jon) Himmelberg, Brent Heinlein, Mackenzie and Madison Wiegers.

Memorial visitation will be 9 – 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 207 Vandalia, Collinsville.

Memorial mass will be at 11 a.m. following the visitation with Father John Beveridge celebrant.  Burial with military honors will be in St. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Collinsville.

Memorials may be made in John's honor to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, CMT YMCA or Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at barrywilsonfuneralhome.com