Harry Michael Jackson

HARRY MICHAEL “MICKEY” JACKSON, 93, of Perryville, Missouri, formerly of Ellis Grove, Illinois, passed away at 2:40 pm, Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Independence Care Center, Perryville, Missouri.

He was born to the late Harry L. and Gertrude (nee Galligan) Jackson on August 14, 1926 in Herrin, Illinois.

Harry withdrew from Chester High School in 1942 to join the US Navy and serve his Country in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He served as an electrician EM3 on the battleship USS Pennsylvania. Following the War, he earned his GED and attended Southern Illinois University on the GI Bill to become an industrial arts teacher. On January 26, 1952, Harry married Doris Evelyn Lodge in Lawrenceville, Illinois and together they raised five children.

He taught high school at Cisne, IL and Clay City, IL, earned a Masters of Science in Industrial Education from Bradley University in Peoria in 1962. He became the Superintendent of Education at Menard Correctional Center from which he retired after 25 years. Many men, incarcerated at Menard, learned to read and earned degrees because he believed in the value of education. Harry also served as Ellis Grove Village Clerk for 13 years.

Harry was a long time member of Grace United Methodist Church in Ellis Grove; transferring his membership to Perryville United Methodist Church after relocating to Independence Court Senior Living Community in Perryville, MO. He was active in Illinois Retired Teachers’ Association and Randolph County Retired Teachers. He and his wife were avid square dancers, were instrumental in lobbying to have square dancing named the State Dance of Illinois, and were named to the Square Dance Hall of Fame. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a long time stamp collector.

Harry joined the Boy Scouts of America at age eleven and from that time on lived his life by the Scout Law. He was a Distinguished Eagle Scout, a Wood Badge leader, a member of the selection committee for the National Eagle Scout Association Scholarship, and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to the Boy Scouts of America.

Survivors:

Wife: Doris Jackson                                          Perryville, MO

5 Children: Michael (Anna) Jackson                    Ellis Grove, IL

James (Barbara) Jackson                  Affton, MO

Patti (Dr. Harry) Henderson               Sparta, IL

Joyce Jackson                                  Chesterfield, MO

Mollie (Robert) Wallace                     Indianapolis, IN

2 Brothers-in-law: Dr. George Ragland                Webster Groves, MO

Dale Smith                             Benton, IL

6 Grandchildren: Erica (Lawrence) Zerante, Courtney (Olivia) Henderson, Christopher (Erica) Jackson, Andrew Jackson (Audra Robinson), Ciara (Maxwell) Petri and Lauren (John Palmer) Jennings

6 Great Grandchildren: Emily Jackson, Wade & Desi Zerante, Karolina Jennings, Kaiden Palmer and Orin Jackson

5 Step Grandchildren and 9 Step Great Grandchildren

Many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins

Preceded in Death by : Parents, 1 Sister – Dr. Tommie Lee Ragland, 2 Sisters-in-law – Patricia Smith and Avenell Lodge, 1 Brother-in-law – Kenneth Lodge and 1 Son-in-law – Stephen Jennings

Funeral Service : 10:00 am, Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Officiating: Rev. Kevin Barron

Interment : Paradise Cemetery

Steeleville, Illinois

Visitation: Tuesday – 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wednesday – 7:30 am – 10:00 am

Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Memorials : Boy Scouts of America

Perryville United Methodist Church Roofing Fund

Honor Flight of Greater St. Louis