John Ontiveros, Jr.

John Ontiveros, Jr, 90, of Fort Wayne, IN died at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne on Monday morning, February 26, 2024 after battling effects of COVID since late November 2023.

Funeral services will be Friday, March 1st at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service at Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 East Grove, Rantoul, IL with burial following in Willowbrook Cemetery, Fisher, IL.

John was born August 10, 1933 in Moline, IL a son of John and Josephine (Rocha) Ontiveros. He was the oldest of 10 children.

John was preceded in death by three brothers, Bob, Larry and Steve and one sister Rita.

Surviving are 2 brothers, Frank and Michael and 3 sisters, Joann; Cindy and Christina.  He married the love of his life Laura Johnston on August 18, 1956.  She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Mark Ontiveros of Portland, OR and Matt (Patty) Ontiveros of Fortville, IN, 4 grandchildren, Danielle (Kevin) Goodwin; Alex (Katie) Ontiveros; Victoria (Adam) Ontiveros; and Keelan Ontiveros.  He has 2 great-grandchildren, Ava Ontiveros and Ford Goodwin.

John lived a long and full life full of success and adventure. He graduated from Moline High School as a two-time state champion in wrestling and was awarded a full scholarship to the University of IL. John made his family proud as the first one in the Ontiveros/Rocha family to attend college. He reached the semifinals of the US Olympic team tryouts to be held in Finland in 1952 as a college freshman. He also was a Big-Ten runner-up as a U of I senior in 1955.

John had a wonderful career as an International Sales Representative traveling to 69 countries across the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Africa and Asian Pacific. He even wrote a book about his life, From the Muddy Mississippi of Northern IL to Life Around the World. He was working on book #2. After retirement he worked at JC Penney helping many find their first suit. He loved fashion, gardening, golfing and reading.

John was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Fort Wayne. John was a loving husband and father, a caring man with wisdom to match his experience in life. All loved him as the funny storyteller to family and friends.

Memorials may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis IN or Samaritan’s Purse.