By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WHITE OAK - John J. Wirtz spent his entire career working for the city of Wyoming, and his free time mentoring and coaching its younger residents.

The former fire chief and waterworks superintendent was a fixture at school athletic events - he and his wife Carol Jean Wirtz never missed Friday night football games at Wyoming High School.

"He loved the city and the people. He did a lot for the Board of Education ... and just loved his job," his wife said.

Mr. Wirtz died Saturday at Christ Hospital of complications from diabetes. The White Oak resident was 64.

Born in Brookville, Ind., to farmers, he graduated from Talawanda High School in Oxford in 1958, and started working for the city of Wyoming in 1962.

He earned a certificate to work in the city's waterworks department, and, in 1975, became public works director, which included the responsibility of waterworks superintendent.

Mr. Wirtz also served as a volunteer firefighter, and in the early 1990s was promoted to fire chief, a position he held until he retired from the city in 1998.

"He was an excellent fire chief, both passionate and stern as the situation called. Of the workers, he demanded their best and they knew they could count on him for the same," his wife said.

He was a member of the Retired Fire Chief Association of Hamilton County, and a member of the Public Works Association and the American Water Works Association.

Mr. Wirtz was the 1986 City of Wyoming Citizen of the Year, and earned the Wendell R. La Due Citizen award for 20 years of active membership in the American Water Works Association.

Besides his wife, other survivors include four brothers, Charles of Mason, Gerald of Fairfield, Daniel of Reading, and Rick of Fort Thomas; a sister, Judith of Fairfield; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, at St. James of the Valley Church, 411 Springfield Pike, Wyoming.

Mass of Christian burial will follow at the church.

Funeral procession will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at Hodapp Funeral Home, 7401 Vine St., Carthage. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 8899 Brookside Ave., West Chester, 45069, or to Wyoming Fire Department, 800 Oak Ave., Wyoming, 45215.

---

Email nhamilton@enquirer.com