William Charles Jackson

William Charles Jackson age 81, of Rensselaer passed away Wednesday January 16, 2013 at the Jasper County Hospital AlternaCare. Bill was born March 25, 1931 in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of John Silas and Ruth Fielding (Charles) Jackson. Bill moved to Rensselaer from Tipton, Indiana in 1944. He was a proud graduate of Rensselaer High School, Class of 1949. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Mortuary Science in 1957. On June 28, 1958 in Berwyn, Illinois he married his loving wife, Mary Ann Olson. Bill owned and operated Jackson Funeral Chapel for 44 years where he was honored to serve and assist families during their time of loss. He cherished the many friendships and relationships he made during his career. Bill served in the United States Navy from 1951-1955. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Rensselaer where he served as Deacon, Elder and past Chairman of the Board. He also was a member of Prairie Lodge #125, F&AM, a former member and past president of the Rensselaer Rotary Club and a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. Bill enjoyed researching his genealogy and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Simon Kenton Chapter. He was a member of the American Legion, Post #29, a Saint Joseph's College Fellow, a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was the recipient of the Rensselaer Alumni Association Community Service Award in 2009. Many people remember Bill as Cub Scout Master of the local Cub Scout Pack or delivering newspapers for his sons years ago. More recently, Bill loved working in his yard, gardening, and wintering in Naples, Fla. He was proud to be from Rensselaer, proud of his family and was a gentleman until the very end of his life. Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Ann Jackson, three children, Beth Ann (Larry Glicken, fiancé) Jackson of Eastlake, OH; W. Craig (Lisa) Jackson and Eric C. Jackson of Rensselaer, Indiana; four grandchildren, Kate and Blake Chambers and Connor and Ava Jackson; 3 nephews Bradley, Phillip and Douglas Snyder. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Barbara Jean Snyder. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Sunday January 20, 2013 from 2:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer. Masonic services will be held at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be Monday January 21, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Jackson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Elizabeth Hartmann officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Rensselaer with full military rites. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Rensselaer.

William Charles Jackson

March 25, 1931 - January 16, 2013