Norman Jolitz

Norman Jolitz, 89, of Algonquin, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2024 after a short illness.

He was born on April 29, 1935 in Elgin, Illinois, the son of Charles & Margaret (Petersen) Jolitz of Carpentersville, Illinois.  Norm graduated from Dundee Community High School in 1953 and began employment at Elgin National Watch Company in product development. In 1957 he was hired by the Quaker Oats Company, at its research laboratories in Barrington, starting in the companies’ Chemicals Division as a Technician in the Analytical Department. By 1975 he became the Barrington chemicals facilities Pilot Plant Operations Supervisor, responsible for coordinating research activities including product development and transitioning new products from research projects into production start-up at various Quaker Oats factory locations in other states. He continued employment in this same capacity with subsequent new ownership of the chemical operations, under the names of Pentech Corporation, QO Chemicals, Inc., and finally Great Lakes Chemical Corp., until retirement.

In 1965, Norm and his wife Anita “Sue” Jolitz, to whom he married January 5, 1957, moved from Carpentersville to Algonquin with their sons Jeff and Randy. Norm and Sue were very active in the Algonquin community and service organizations including among others, the Algonquin Founders’ Days Committee (for over 30 years) where they were honored as “Founders’ Favorites” in 1978.  They also volunteered with Algonquin Area Youth Organizations, and were charter members of both the local Make a Child Smile and Hearts of Gold organizations. Norm was an active member of the Algonquin Lions Club, serving as club President in the early 1980s and he was a recipient of a Lions International Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2002.

Norm enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards, and smoking his always present pipe with Cherry Blend Tobacco. He is survived by sons Jeff Jolitz of Algonquin, and Randy (Leslie) Jolitz of Overland Park, KS, six grandchildren: Benson (Amanda), Brian (Kaitlyn), Charles, Seth, Madison, Meredith, and great- grandchildren: Jack, Max, and Harlow. Also, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, his wife Sue, and daughter in law Amanda “Mandy” Jolitz.

Visitation for Norm will be held starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 9, 2024 followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM, officiated by Pastor Brian E. Cope at Willow Funeral Home & Cremation Care 1415 W. Algonquin Rd., (one mile west of Main St.) Algonquin, IL (www.willowfh.com). A graveside service for burial will follow at the Algonquin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry, P.O. Box 7866, Algonquin IL 60102 (alith.foodpantry@yahoo.com)

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