Leland John Pohlman, 81, of Jerseyville, passed away at 2:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, at Jerseyville Nursing and Rehab.
He was born on Feb. 22, 1933, in Brussels, the son of the late Charles J. and Ella S. (Shandrow) Pohlman. He was the 13th of 15 children.
He married Beverly Ann “Susy” Kinder on Sept. 3, 1957, in Brussels at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She survives.
John served his country in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean Conflict. John and all of his brothers served in the military at one time or another, in which six served overseas at the same time, where his brother Paul John was killed in action. John was a ferry boat pilot for the state of Illinois for 41 years, until his retirement in 1995. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brussels starting in 1957. Then he became a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville. He was also a member of the Brussels American Legion No. 685 Francis Pohlman Post, the Jerseyville Moose and the Meppen Knights of Columbus.
In addition to his loving wife of 57 years, he is survived by a son, Todd Pohlman, and his fiancée, Barbara Quade; a daughter and son-in-law, Christina and Ed Marburger; four grandchildren, Samantha, David, Renee and Eric; one sister, Teresa Haug; one brother, Patrick B. Pohlman; one brother-in-law and his wife, Terry and Sharon Kinder; and a sister-in-law, Muriel Kinder Schlieper (formerly of Batchtown).
He was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers and four sisters.
Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brussels, with Father Don Roberts officiating.
Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Brussels with military rites given by the Brussels American Legion Post No. 685, the Francis Pohlman Post.
Memorials may be made to Holy Ghost School for playground equipment.
The family has requested that everyone please wear red (John’s favorite color).
Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalschaaf.com.