John “Jack” Francis Vojtech passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, just shy of his 89th birthday. Jack was born on September 9, 1937, in Chicago’s Chicago Lawn neighborhood to John Vojtech and Lucille (Szymikowski) Vojtech. He devoted his entire life to faith, family and country.
The oldest of ten, Jack grew up alongside his siblings Kenneth Vojtech (d. 2025), Alan Vojtech (d. 2023), Mary Lou Zajac (Joseph), Joyce Pignotti (Joe), Robert Vojtech (d. 1990), Donald Vojtech (Teresa), Joseph Vojtech (Berna, d. 2017), William Vojtech (Bonnie), and Bernadette “Bonnie” Mulligan (d. 1985) (James). Jack took his role as the oldest seriously, helping care for his younger siblings and becoming their protective older brother. Jack, Ken, and Al were particularly close, earning the nickname “The Three Musketeers” and living by their motto: “All for one and one for all!”
Family and togetherness were important to Jack from an early age and remained so throughout his life. He also learned the value of hard work young, getting his first job delivering newspapers at only nine or ten years old to contribute to the family, although, as he later remembered, some of that hard-earned money inevitably found its way toward candy bars.
Jack spent much of his childhood outdoors with the other kids in his Chicago neighborhood. Around age 12, they transformed two empty lots into their own ball field, where they played baseball until the sun went down. On some evenings, they built bonfires and roasted potatoes that, while usually charred, Jack remembered as tasting pretty good anyway.
During his freshman year of high school, Jack attended a boarding seminary in the suburbs. He later attended De La Salle High School in Chicago with his brother Ken, where the brothers worked Saturdays answering the telephone to help pay for one of their tuitions. After his parents built a home in Oak Lawn, Jack completed high school at Oak Lawn Community High School. Following high school, Jack attended Loyola University Chicago while working part-time at Central Steel & Wire. After his second year, the money for college ran out, and Jack left school to begin working full-time.
He then proudly served in the United States Army from December 1, 1960, through November 30, 1962. After training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he served at Fort Lewis, Washington, working in personnel administration. Jack completed his service honorably and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.
It was through his sister Joyce that he first met the woman who would become his best friend and wife, Verna Johnson. Joyce and Verna were friends, and one day Joyce brought her to the Vojtech home. When Verna ran upstairs to answer a call from her parents, Jack saw Verna for the first time and he decided that was the girl for him. They fell in love almost immediately.
Only six weeks after they began dating, they were engaged, beginning a life together that would span decades and grow to include their three children, Vicki, John, and Erik, and eventually their grandchildren, Hannah, Josh, and Evan.
Jack was a devoted Catholic whose faith remained an important part of his life. He served as a Eucharistic Minister, taught CCD and was active at Saint Linus Catholic Church in Oak Lawn for many years.
But anyone who knew him also knew that seriousness only told part of the story. Jack was a jokester through and through, armed with a quick wit and a seemingly endless supply of sarcasm. He liked to say he didn’t merely speak sarcasm, he taught it. Jack was also a loyal Chicago sports fan, particularly of the Chicago White Sox and Bears which he shared his love of with his children.
Above all, Jack was devoted to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Verna; their daughter, Victoria “Vicki” Vojtech; their son, John Vojtech and his wife, Mary; and their son, Erik Vojtech and his wife, Elizabeth “Liz.”
Jack was an incredibly proud grandfather to his grandchildren, Hannah and Evan Vojtech. He also wholeheartedly embraced Erik’s stepson, Josh Petrofsky, as his grandson and “Honorary Vojtech”. Evan and Josh affectionately knew him as “Papa Jack.”
For his grandchildren, Jack believed in showing up. For Hannah, Grandpa was a constant presence throughout her childhood. Volleyball games, soccer games, basketball games, orchestra concerts, he was there cheering her on. At volleyball games, his presence became so familiar that “Grandpa” wasn’t just Hannah’s name for him; but her teammates and friends came to call him “Grandpa,” too.
Jack shared his own life stories with Evan, telling him what the world was like when he was his age. Though the world had changed enormously over nearly 89 years, he told those stories with the humor and attention to detail that made them unmistakably his.
Jack shared a special bond with Josh as well. He and Verna visited Josh, Erik, and Liz out of state, and when Josh returned to Chicago, he and Jack made time for meals filled with stories and laughter. Regardless of time or distance, they found ways to enjoy each other’s company.
Jack’s role as the oldest brother eventually gave him another title he proudly carried: “Uncle Jack.” To his many nieces and nephews, he was a familiar and beloved presence.
One of the greatest lessons Jack leaves behind is also one of the simplest: you don’t do things for the people you love because you expect something in return. You do them because making the people around you happy is reason enough.
Jack lived that lesson. He gave his time, showed up, and never missed an opportunity to get together and laugh. He didn’t need anything in return. Being part of the lives of the people he loved was the reward.
From a boy playing ball on empty lots in Chicago until the sun went down, to the protective oldest brother, Army veteran, husband, father, Uncle Jack, Papa Jack, Grandpa, devoted Catholic, Chicago sports fan, storyteller, and lifelong jokester, Jack truly filled his nearly 89 years with faith, family, hard work, laughter, and love.
Funeral & Service Information
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 31, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley, IL 60142.
On Tuesday, September 1, visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 845 W. Main St., West Dundee, IL 60118. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m.
Jack will be laid to rest at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W. Hoff Road, Elwood, IL 60421.
For further information, please contact DeFiore Funeral Home at 847-515-8772. Online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com.
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RIP Uncle Jack
We love you, Uncle Jack. So sorry for this loss.
Our deepest condolences to Verna and the rest of Jack's family. Among my earliest memories of Jack was when he was around 21 and looked like a giant to me (age 9) and especially to my brother Kevin (age 5), when we all three were wearing the same white tuxedos while standing up to my Uncle Don and Mary Ann Cichowski's wedding. He was Don's "best man," which as a kid I thought was a literal title for which one must qualify. And everything about Jack Vojtech's life since then, as described in the loving obituary, confirms that designation. The following story about Jack and his family appeared on Christmas Day in 2012: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/12/25/the-meaning-of-christmas-2/?share=on1saugo2tahro2ah5r1
I only met Papa Jack a few times with Josh but every time was a time I will cherish. He was always so kind to me and I loved talking to him. Rest in peace.
Vicki, I’m so sorry for your loss - and everyone mentioned. You had a wonderful exceptional father. He touched so many lives! What an example he was to all who knew him!
I am so sorry for your loss. Jack will be truly missed.