John Dominic Molinarolo of Muddy
John Dominic Molinarolo, 94, of Muddy, Illinois, died peacefully at home at 1:53 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.
Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 at Sunset Lawn Cemetery. Father Christian Iwuagwu and Father Steven Beatty will officiate.
Following the graveside service, a celebration of life will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. at John's home in Muddy and everyone is invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to St. Mary's Catholic Church Building Fund or Hospice of Southern Illinois.
John was born Feb. 22, 1926 in Muddy to Luciano "John" and Mary (Pesavento) Molinarolo, in their home behind the grocery store. On Aug. 2, 1950 he married Eleanor (Jarvis) Wheatley, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 20, 2006.
He was also preceded in death by his brothers, James Molinarolo and "Little Brother" Billy; his brother-in-Law, Louis Bertino; and sister-in-law, Sister Eloise Jarvis, Ph.D..
A dedicated family man and leader of the community, John's lifetime achievements include:
An innovative and independent businessman most of his life, he is most notably known for assisting his father in 1957 with the incorporation of Muddy and the opening of the Molinarolo Liquor Store, which served the community for more than 30 years.
Held the position of Village Administrator and was the figurehead of the Village of Muddy for more than 50 years.
Accepted into the V-12 Navy College Training Program in 1943-44, educated at Notre Dame University; Served on the USS Neville in World War II and honorably discharged as Fireman First Class USNR in 1946.
He was a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus member and an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church - he held the longest membership of the congregation.
John worked at Southeastern Illinois College from 1986-1996 in the JTPA program. In 1993, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Vocational Education Studies at SIU-Carbondale in 1993.
A first-generation Italian with roots and love of winemaking, he "retired" at age 76 to begin cultivating grapes and crafting wine. He opened the Flint Hill Winery in 2005.
He was a member of Toastmasters, Forty and Eight, and the Rotary Club. He was on the board of directors of the old Harrisburg National Bank.
With his love of photography, he gifted us precious historical memories of Muddy and Saline County for the past 80 years.
John is survived by his children, Anne Molinarolo, Patrice Molinarolo and Vince Molinarolo (Jenni Harrison); his sister, Frances Bertino; and his sister-in-law, Carole Molinarolo, all of Muddy.
He is survived by seven grandchildren, Max Molinarolo of Muddy, Hayden Molinarolo of St. Louis, Deaudra Bindrim of O'Fallon, Clay Bertelsman (Megan) of Belleville, Jordan Craft of Marion, Amanda Maxwell of Louisville, Kentucky, and Emily Casada of Woodburn, Kentucky; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a most precious friend, Colleen Johns and family.