Ronald E. "Jake" Jacobs

Ronald E. (Jake) Jacobs went to be with his heavenly Father on April 20, 2021.  He was born in Galesburg, Il, May 11, 1942 to John and Patricia (Malmrose) Jacobs. He moved to Dallas City, Il, in 1954 when his dad was transferred with the Sante Fe Railroad. He married Jan Massa April 19, 1965, in Pekin, Il.

Following his lifelong dream of a Navy career, Ron entered the Navy the day after graduation from Dallas City High School on June 1, 1960.  He spent 3 years, 9 months and 27 days at Tripler Navy Base in Honolulu, HA and was injured on duty.  After spending 3 months in the hospital in Hawaii, he was transferred to Great Lakes Naval Hospital, in Chicago and spent 18 months in the hospital.  Upon release from the hospital, he returned to Dallas City.  He spent 5 years as an Apprentice for Seither & Cherry, Keokuk, Ia., where he became a licensed Journeyman Plumber/Pipefitter for Local #212. After 18 years of working construction, he was hired as a dispatcher for Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Carthage, Il.  He became a Deputy Sheriff February, 1984 and was known in the area as HC-8.  Ron was one class short of an associate’s degree in Law Enforcement from Carl Sandburg College, Carthage, Il. He worked as a deputy sheriff for 22 years, the last 3 as Court Bailiff at Hancock County Courthouse.  He retired May 31, 2004.

Ron’s first love was his family.  He loved camping, fishing, baseball and was a die hard Cubs fan. He and his family were very involved in Boy Scouts.  Ron was one of a group of 28 people who took an EMT class and started the Hamilton Ambulance Service.  He worked on call for that service for many years. Ron was a life member of the NRA.  Ron was deeply patriotic and stood for every National Anthem he heard and practiced his love of his country. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church in Hamilton for 50 years.

 Ron is survived by his wife, Jan of 57 years, his daughters Cary Jo Schaub, Wesley Chapel, FL. and Holly Cox, Omaha, NE;  his grandchildren Kayla (Tyler) Zeh, Jonathan Temenak (Chicago), Maslin Cox and Caleb Cox and his daughter-in-law Tricia Jacobs,  He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph, his Mother and Father, John & Pat Jacobs and his in-laws Amel & Josephine Massa.

He is survived by five brother-in -laws, Dr. Dennis (Pat) Massa, Rochester NY; Amel (Carol) Massa, Long Island, NY; Rev. Michael (Kathy) Massa, Marshalltown, IA; Greg (Lisa) Massa, Pekin, Il; James (Pam) Massa, Lexington, KY; and a sister-in-law Pam Davis, (Sean) , St. Charles, MO. and one brother, Donald Jacobs, Arvada, Colorado. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Printy Funeral Home, Hamilton, Il., Friday evening, April 23rd from  5-7 pm with a Rosary being said at 7 pm..  A Christian Mass of burial will be held 10 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Hamilton, IL. Saturday morning, April 24, 2021 with Fr. Tony Trosley officiating with burial in Harris Cemetery in Dallas City, IL.  Memorials may be made to his family for his grandchildren’s College fund or to the VA Hammond Hall.

Masks and social distancing are requested.

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