Jacob W. Richtman

Jacob W. "Jack" Richtman of Elburn, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, at the age of 101. Born on June 29, 1924, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he spent his early years in Burlington, Wisconsin. He graduated from Cretin High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1942 and earned a degree in Chemistry from St. Thomas University. Jack served with the 71st Infantry Division in Europe during World War II. He worked for Swift & Co. for 38 years as a chemist and quality assurance manager.

On August 16, 1947, Jack married Karwyn Casperson, and together they built a large and joyful family. After Karwyn’s courageous battle with multiple myeloma, he married Mary Gette Perkins on December 26, 1979. Jack was deeply involved in his community through St. Gall Catholic Church, Meals on Wheels, and tutoring children at Kaneland Grade School. He was honored with induction into the Kaneland Hall of Fame as a “Friend of Kaneland” and was a proud member of K.C. Council #1659.

A dedicated gardener and woodworker, Jack crafted wooden toys for each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After retiring, he started a business roto-tilling gardens for others and cherished his time on his hobby farm, where he tended to animals and maintained a large garden. He often said the best part of gardening was giving the produce away. Above all, his greatest joy was being with his family. He took genuine interest in the lives of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always ready with a story for anyone who visited.

Jack was preceded in death by his first wife, Karwyn; his second wife, Mary; his daughters, Ann and Ruth; and his son, Mark. He is survived by nine of his twelve children: William (Kate) Richtman, Paul (Karen) Richtman, Jane (Steve) Martin, Claire Richtman (Jim Young), John (Tammy) Richtman, James (Theresa) Richtman, Julie (Dan) Feuerborn, Thomas (Karen) Richtman, and Leo Richtman; his seven stepchildren: Mary Ann (Mike) Katz, Thomas Perkins, John (Ann) Perkins, Jeff (Tina) Perkins, Kathleen Wiacek, Sue Sartain, and Teri Morlock; his son-in-law Mike Podmore; his daughters-in-law Vicki Richtman and Sarah Tenby Owens; 55 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. His family will always remember the love and devotion he showed them across generations.