(Sept. 26, 1923 – July 10, 2023)
Published by Renner Funeral Homes, July 11, 2023
John “Jack” Joseph Genetti, 99.83 years, of Belleville, IL, born September 26, 1923, in Carlinville, IL, died Monday, July 10, 2023, at Missouri Baptist Hospital, in St. Louis, MO.
Jack graduated in 1941 from Gillespie Illinois High School. He received scholarships in both football and basketball from Saint Louis University. Jack played both sports before and after returning from military service and graduated in 1947 from Saint Louis University. Jack was a veteran of the United States Navy Air Corps. He joined the military in August 1943 and served as a pilot of a TBF Avenger Torpedo Bomber until December 1945. Jack received his Navy wings in 1945. One of the greatest thrills in his life occurred the first time he landed on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
Jack was a founding member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. He was active in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Council at school, the Holy Name Society, and served as Chairman for the Belleville Catholic Grade School Picnic. He coached the boys’ basketball, baseball, and girls’ softball teams at Queen of Peace. Jack assisted with the Thursday Rosary and was a member of the Queen of Peace Prayer Chain.
Jack volunteered with his wife, at St. Louis Lambert Field USO and the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen in East St. Louis. He was a class aide at Ellis School, he participated in the Catholic Urban League Program, a food pantry worker, a member of the sick and aged program at Memorial Hospital, and an aide assisting seniors prepare their income tax returns. He was a member of the Sierra Club, Right to Life 40 Days of Life, and the American Legion.
Jack worked for Haskins and Sells Public Accounting Firm, and McDonnell Aircraft. He served as a chief accountant and chief internal auditor of Falstaff Brewing Corporation, Federal Bank Examiner, for the Farm Credit Administration. Jack was inducted into the Saint Louis University Sports Hall of Fame for football and basketball in February 1994.
Hel was preceded in death by his loving wife of almost 64 years, LaVerne M., nee Gonder, Genetti, whom he married on January 25, 1947, and who died on January 3, 2011; his daughter, Mary Ann Genetti; his son, John Genetti; his parents, John B. and Julia F., nee Rolando, Genetti; and a great-grandson, Benjamin Ryder Sillivent.
Surviving are three children, Theresa (Donald) Walterbach of Manchester, MO, Catherine Genetti of Brentwood, MO, and Joan (Nicholas) Gehrs of St. Charles, MO; a daughter-in-law, Karen A. Genetti; 11 grandchildren, Michael (Renee) Genetti, Elizabeth Genetti, Christina Genetti, Melissa Genetti, Olivia (Max) Barajas, Joseph (Maggie) Walterbach; Philip (Heidi) Walterbach, Mary (Brandon) McCann, Andrew (Kelly) Genetti, Clare (Jack) Balinger, and Kate Gehrs; 16 great-granchildren; three sisters, Ruth (August) Lohmann of Collinsville, IL, Roselle Derfler of Fairview Heights, IL, and Sister Julia (Marie) Genetti of Alton, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Catholic Urban Programs, or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at: http://www.rennerfh.com.
Burial with military honors will be in Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Webmaster’s note: Jack was the son of John Baptiste Genetti (1890-1972) and Julia Freida Rolando (1900-1996). He was the grandson of Vigilio Genetti (1852-1932) and Domenica Maria Dolzadelli (1852-1907) of Collinsville, Illinois. A second generation American, Jack’s grandfather and his siblings were the first of this Genetti branch to settle in the St. Louis area. As he was just shy of his 100th birthday, Jack was a great source of history about his Genetti family. On several occasions he provided information to our family genealogists, adding to the rich ancestry of the Illinois Genetti clan. He will be missed by many!
The Genetti Family Genealogy Project 