Sid Rotz

A Memorial service will be held at Noon, Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Saturday. Burial will be in Harristown Cemetery, Harristown, IL.Memorials may be made to: Central Christian Church, Millikin University, Decatur Shrine Club, or Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.Sid was born August 28, 1919, in Chrisman, IL, the son of Lawrence and Lela (Ludwig) Rotz. Sid played football at Decatur High School, graduating in 1937, and also at Millikin University. After graduating from Millikin University, he joined the U.S. Navy, working first as a flight instructor. He then went on to fly Hellcat fighters from the escort carrier U.S.S. Shamrock Bay in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. Sid married Helen L. Sona on April 8, 1942 in Sullivan, Illinois. She preceded him in death in 2001.When he returned from the U S Navy, Sid became a life insurance agent for Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company, finally retiring in 2000. Sid is also remembered for his broadcasts on WSOY of local high school football and basketball games, Millikin University football, and especially University of Illinois football and basketball games. For his efforts on the radio, Sid was inducted into the Decatur Athletic Council Hall of Fame in 1992. He and his wife Helen also led a group of Decatur area University of Illinois football fans to the Rose Bowl game in 1964. Sid was a devoted member of Central Christian Church, the Decatur Shrine Club, the Decatur Club, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, the R.O.M.E.O. club, the Millikin University Quarterback Club, and the Decatur Athletic Council Hall of Fame, and the National Rifle Association. He was also a volunteer and patron at the Scovill Zoo, and was an award-winning photographer.Sid is survived by his son John S. Rotz and wife Gail of Decatur; daughter Nicholeen Kaley and husband Dr. Mark of Mt. Zion; grandchildren Jay Rotz and wife Audrey, Jennifer Rotz, Nathan Kaley, and Braghan Kaley; great-grandson Hayden John Rotz; and brother William L. Rotz and wife Gloria of Champaign, IL. "
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