Mr. Holdener worked as a street superintendent for the city of Belleville before his retirement. In his younger years, John loved to play softball. He, along with his wife, enjoyed traveling, camping, and fishing. He enjoyed the great outdoors, was a great handyman who could fix anything, and he especially loved spending time with his family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a U. S. Army Korean War veteran.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John M. and Frances, nee Range, Holdener; and a brother, Leo Holdener.
Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Shirley, nee Nuetzel, Holdener, whom he married April 23, 1955;
three children, Kenneth (Candie) Holdener of Freeburg, IL, Sandra Holdener of Troy, IL, and Beverly Tylka (friend, Kevin Schroeder) of Fairview Heights, IL;
six grandchildren, Christy (Joe) Winze, Kelly (John “J.D.”) Lawson, Roger Hartmann Jr., Andy (Ashley) Hartmann, Jimmy (Danika) Tylka, and Ashley (Shawn) Gravot;
10 great-grandchildren;
two brothers, Edward (Delores) Holdener of Smithton, IL, and Louis (Marie) Holdener of Salt Lake City, UT;
a sister, Dolores (Larry) Wilhelm of Mascoutah, IL;
a sister-in-law, Barbara Holdener of Smithton, IL;
and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorials may be made to the ALS Association, 2258 Weldon Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63146. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, September 22, 2018, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 22, 2018, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
Burial with military honors will follow at Caseyville Cemetery, Caseyville, IL.