Donate to help the Lotz family

I'm Joseph Lotz, the middle son in the family, son of Mark Lotz who recently passed away. He is survived by myself, my younger brother Johnny (19), my older brother Dan (27), and my mom Brenda (56). My family has been put in an incredibly tough position after the recent unexpected, and incredibly heartbreaking suicide by my father, Mark. My parents have run a home renovation business for the past 35 years, since they got married, and that is the only income that my family has had. Due to my father's passing, the business may not continue on, or if it does, will impact my family alot financially. On top of this, my older brother, Dan, worked for my parents business as well, leaving him currently unemployed. My dad, having shot himself in his work van, we also may have to pay off the remaining $10,000 in order to release it to a junkyard to scrap it, or pay several thousand to a special company to clean the van before releasing it back to us. On top of this, for reasons nobody can really explain, my father cancelled his life insurance policy about 2-3 months ago, leaving us with no payout from that.

Throughout the past few days dealing with the fallout of my father's death, my younger brother mentioned that all he hears about is people talking about money. Its sad, but true. The sad reality of this heartbreaking moment in our lives, does inevitably require lots of discussion around finances, and honestly that's the last thing that everyone wants to even think about, and its definitely adding immense stress, and is taking away from the grieving process that we all so desperately need.

My dad was such a great man. He instilled some of his greatest traits in me: integrity, work ethic, his entrepreneurial spirit, his love for people, and treating people with kindness and respect. He coached me through football, basketball, and soccer over the years and he worked his ass off to provide for his family and I'll never forget that. He was loved and supported by many, and it pains me to think that he didn't feel that throughout his last days on this earth. He loved to drink whiskey, smoke cigars, play poker with his friends, and go fishing, your typical guy's guy. If there is an afterlife, I'm sure he's doing one, or more of those things right now. As sad as I am, and the entire family is right now, and probably will be forever, I guess in some ways I'm just glad he's no longer in pain.

As far as what this money could help with, honestly everything: bills, debts, food, helping pay for the funeral services, etc. Whatever can be given, will be truly the most immense amount of help and I will do my best to show every single one of you the absolute deepest gratitude.

The information regarding the wake and funeral mass is below:

Wake: Tuesday May 9th, 4pm-8pm (3-4pm is limited only to family), Overman Jones Funeral Home, 15219 S Joliet Rd

Plainfield, IL 60544

Funeral Mass: Wednesday May 10th, 10:30am-12:30pm, St. John Cantius, 825 N Carpenter St

Chicago, IL 60642

Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend and share your condolences and support at either, or both of these events. The only events restricted to just family will be the burial and the 3-4pm slot at the wake.

For those who are dealing with mental health struggles, especially thoughts of suicide, please reach out to those who love you, your friends, your family, and especially the help of trained professional therapists and psychologists. Below I've attached a few links to resources or organizations to support or become a part of, that may help anyone struggling with their mental health, and/or thoughts of suicide:

Hope For The Day

Sip of Hope Coffee

Evryman (men's groups/mental health)

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

How Men Cry

Suicide Hotline - 988

I love you so much dad, and I love you all ❤️