John Jerome Bretzlauf

John Jerome Bretzlauf of Arlington Heights, Illinois, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2025 at the age of 79. John was born on August 22, 1946 in Waukegan, Illinois, the cherished son of Harry and Lottie Bretzlauf (nee Dufrat).

John was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife of 17 years Linda Bretzlauf (nee Lauer).

John is survived by his loving wife, of 12 years, Nellouise Schatz; dear daughters, Ann (Christopher) Perez and Mary (Mike) Urban; cherished grandchildren, Tyler, Katelyn, Leah Urban and Sarah Perez; siblings, Greg Bretzlauf and Marcella “Marcie” Bosnak.

John grew up in North Chicago, attended St. George High School in Evanston before graduating from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota with a degree in Mathematics. John started his career as a math teacher at Carl Sandburg Junior High. Through a blind date set up by a friend, John met Linda Lauer. Eleven months later they were married on November 28, 1970. After years of teaching math, John moved into editing math textbooks at Scott Foresman which led to working with the University of Chicago authors on the Everyday Math program. John also worked as a textbook editor at Loyola Press.

In April 1987, John was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church. His strong faith in God was evident through the love he shared with his family, particularly his grandchildren. John loved the change of seasons, evergreen trees and penguins. John’s time was filled with building puzzles, woodworking, collecting baseballs and walking. He was blessed to spend the past ten years living with Nell at Luther Village.

A visitation for John will be held Friday, December 12, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 starting at 9:30 AM until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at Holy Family Catholic Community Parish, 2515 W Palatine Rd, Inverness, IL 60067.Inurnment will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls (link: https://donate.mercyhome.org/page/114309/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=24M73GAD01&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=139140652&gbraid=0AAAAADreC_wx7h8PwooPrwEtgDXLJIBLz&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn4SLpOShkQMVj0tHAR3wzSFXEAAYASAAEgKGwPD_BwE) or The Wheeling Township Food Pantry (Donations received at: 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights).