John Julius Oidtman

John Julius Oidtman, age 81, of Linn, Mo., died peacefully at his family farm on Monday, February 25, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. John was born to Georgia (Peters) and John Oidtman in Cadet Creek, Mo., on Jan. 31, 1938. He was the second youngest of seven children and the only boy. He graduated from Fatima High School in 1955, and worked on the family farm until 1961, when he enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He then served in the U.S. Army in 1962, before returning home to finish college. John and Patricia Maasen were married on June 15, 1963. He waited tables at The Campus Snack, a known hangout for J students, and graduated from the MU School of Ag Journalism in 1966. He took his first journalism position at Washington University in St. Louis in 1966, before moving to Jefferson City in 1968, where he wrote and took photos for the Missouri Ruralist magazine. In 1970, John and Patty moved to Cameron, Mo., where he worked for the Generation & Transmission Co-op. In 1974, they moved back to the Maasen family farm with their two children, Michael and Jessica. John owned and ran the Sears Store in Linn until 1988, when he returned to work for the Missouri Ruralist. John worked for the Lincoln University Ag Extension from 1993 to 1995, and then finished his career at Linn State Technical College until he retired in 2009. He was fond of spending time with his grandchildren and volunteering for Lions Club or church events. He also enjoyed cooking, his greenhouse, garden and woodshop. John was preceded in death by his wife Patty on Dec. 18, 2014. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Mary Lee Kliethermes, Patricia Muenks, Generose Haslag and Jaqueline Muenks. He is survived by sisters, Martha Mitchell of Independence, Jeanne "Dee Dee" Porting of Loose Creek and many, many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind son, Michael (and Lara) Oidtman of Linn; daughter, Jessica Machetta of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Jedd (and Kayla) Oidtman of Tulsa, Okla., Ethan Oidtman of Fort Hood, Texas, Lukas Oidtman of Linn, Claire Jurgensmeyer (and George Anderson) of St. Louis, Macy Machetta of Denver, Colo. and great-granddaughter Colette Anderson. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at St George Catholic Church in Linn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2019, at St. George Catholic Church with Fr. Daniel Merz as the celebrant. Interment with full military honors will follow in the St. George Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Vitae Foundation, or to St. George Catholic School. Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214) www.mortonchapel.com