1940 - 2018
John Kenneth Jackson Jr., 77, of Pekin, passed away at 3:11 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2018 at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born Nov. 6, 1940 in Houston, Texas to John Kenneth and Francis Lee (Stapleton) Jackson, he married Margery A. “Marge” Lehman on Feb. 1, 1959 in Peoria. She survives.
Also surviving are four sons, John K. “Johnny” III, Joseph (Lesa) Jackson, Jeff Jackson, and Mike (Tammy) Jackson, all of Peoria; 12 grandchildren, Rachel (Madison) Knight, Trisha Jackson, Amy Jackson, Josh (Kristin) Williamson, Austin Jackson, Jeffrey Jackson, Noah Jackson, Salina Jackson, Michelle Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, Brenden (Lizzi) Ogle, and Kayli Ogle; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, William (Judy) Jackson of Peoria; and in-laws, Lisa Jackson and Ardy Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
John was a retired member of the Sheet Metal Union Local 1 in Peoria Heights, where he also taught Service Tech classes. He also owned and operated Jackson Heating & Air Conditioning during the 1970s.
He was a CB radio enthusiast in the 1970s and 1980s in the Pekin Beaver Patrol CB Club.
John enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels and photographing birds and animals. He found great joy in making picture books for his grandchildren.
His funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Quinn McKenzie will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be given to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, IL 61554 or St. Jude Midwest Affiliate, 530 NE Glen Oak Ave., Peoria, IL 61637.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com.