Thomas E. Jobst

Thomas E. Jobst, 75, of Ottawa, passed away on November 1, 2026 with his loving family by his side.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, November 6, at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Saturday, November 7, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Columba Catholic Church with Monsignor Mark Merdian officiating with burial following at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Rosary prayers will be held at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home prior at 9 a.m. Pallbearers will be Joe Meglan, Matt Clair, Kelly Thomas, Kenny Carlson, Bruno Fernandez, Jim Jobst, Matt Bullock, and Andy Borkowski. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tony Romano, Ted Pumo, Joe Jobst, Harry Hunt, and Wes Elrod.

Tom was born March 24, 1951, in Ottawa, the son of Ralph and Margaret (Melland) Jobst. Tom married Ellen Piacenti at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Ladd on June 7, 1975. He graduated from St. Francis of Assisi grade school, Ottawa High School, received his Bachelor of Arts from Iowa Wesleyan, a Master in Counseling from Sangamon State University, a CAS from Illinois State University, as well as his Doctorate in Education from Illinois State University. Tom taught and coached in Ft. Dodge, Iowa and continued at Hall High School, New Berlin High School, Morrison High School, Marquette Academy where he served as a counselor and football coach, and he retired as Superintendent of Ottawa Township High School in 2007. Throughout his career, Coach Jobst was able to make many football programs a success. He was especially proud of turning the football program around at Marquette Academy where he took them to the IHSA playoffs 12 out of the 15 years during his tenure there.

Tom lead a life of service to his community as well as his church. He was Assistant Principle, Principle and Superintendent of Ottawa High School. Tom was a former Board Member of the United Way and Ottawa Scouting and History Museum. He served as a lector at St. Francis Church for over 25 years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and was also a former coach for the Ottawa Eagles football team. He was inducted into the New Berlin High School Hall of Fame, Morrison High School Hall of Fame, and Ottawa High School Hall of Fame as a football team member and alumnus and was a recipient of the Marquette Academy "Red" Wultzen Award for 2024-2025. He will be inducted into the Marquette Academy Hall of Fame in December 2026. With such a busy life, Tom found time to enjoy many hobbies. He enjoyed woodworking, crafting with stained glass and was particularly interested in his family genealogy, of which he wrote several books. He also handmade thousands of cord Rosaries that he would give away to people and encouraged them to pray the Rosary daily. More than anything, Tom loved his family and will be dearly missed.

Tom is survived by his wife, Ellen; brother, Michael Jobst; sister, Mary Clair, sister-in-law, Jane Jobst; brothers-in-law, Joe (Iris) Piacenti and Jim (Debby) Piacenti; nieces, Jennifer (Andrew) Borkowski, Jayna Meglan, Sarah (Matt) Bullock, Michelle (Bruno) Fernandez Jobst, Anne (Kenny) Carlson, Ellie (Kelly) Thomas and Marie (Dave) Argubright; nephews, James ( Jen) Jobst, Joe (Tara) Meglan, Matt (Jen) Clair, Michael (Karen) Piacenti, and Tony (Cassie) Piacenti; as well as many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a twin brother, Timothy J. Jobst; sister, Jane M. (Meglan) Jobst; sister-in-law, Joan Jobst; brother-in-law, Thomas Clair; and his father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Marie Piacenti.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ottawa High School Educational Foundation, Pirate Nation, Ottawa High School Athletic Booster Club, Ottawa Center for the Arts, Ottawa Scouting and History Museum, and St. Brigid Parish.