Jack Joseph Yaekel

Jack Joseph Yaekel, 74 born in Belleville, IL on July 31, 1948, died peacefully at home in Columbia, IL on October 17th, 2022, with his wife and son at his side. Jack also lived in New York and Lake in the Hills, IL.

He was preceded in death by his:

• Parents: James and Paula Yaekel
• Sister: Sr. Janis Yaekel of the Precious Blood Order
• Father-in-law: Thomas Dillon
• Brother-in-law: Roger Beckmann
• Sisters-in-law
  • Rose Dillon Clark
  • Sandy Giffhorn
• Nephews:
  • Jason Yaekel
  • Brian Beckmann
• Aunts, uncles and dear friends

He is survived by his:

• Wife of 47 years: Kathleen, nee Dillon, Yaekel
  • They were married on November 9th, 1974
  • Kathleen believes the love of her life passed away before their anniversary, so he didn’t have to buy her a gift.
• Beloved son: JT (Nichelle Baldwin) Yaekel of St. Louis
• Brothers
  • Jim (Rosemary) Yaekel of Columbia, IL
  • Jerry (Eve) Yaekel of Fredericktown, MO
• Mother-in-law: Edna Dillon of Swansea, IL
• Sister-in-law: Trish Beckmann of Hoffman, IL
• He was very close to his nieces and nephews:
  • Bradley Beckmann
  • Cassie (Tyler) Beckmann VanDeveer
  • Julie (Darwin) Sumner
  • Jean (Joe) Wood
  • Jodie (Walter) House
  • Jennifer Yaekel
  • Joe (Elizabeth) Yaekel
  • Jimmy Yaekel (godson)
  • Jill (Mike Shearon) Yaekel
  • Jerry Jr. (Dori Krauss) Yaekel
  • Jeff (Sue) Yaekel
  • Ed (Heather) Hayden
• Many great nieces and nephews, cousins, dear friends, and his faithful black lab, Shady.

Jack graduated from Cathedral High School and Parks College. He was employed as an A & P lead mechanic at Eastern, TWA and American Airlines. He served as a Marine in the Vietnam War as a wireman and wire chief. He was a member of the IAM and the Prairie du Rocher American Legion.

Jack loved the outdoors- especially visiting his family’s property on the Mississippi River near Prairie du Rocher where he had many happy memories. He loved boating, fishing, hunting, and riding around in his Ranger with his co-pilot, Shady. He especially loved spending time with family and friends with a Stag beer in hand.

A few days before Jack went into hospice, he was able to enjoy his own celebration of life with family and friends on a perfect day at the river, which filled him with joy.

Special thanks: Special thanks to the Mercy South ICU team who saved Jack’s life during COVID which blessed us with two extra years. Thanks to Dr. Stephen Sanders, Dr. Hu, the DaVita Dialysis Team, and Hospice of Southern Illinois who helped make Jack’s last days peaceful and pain free.

Services: According to Jack’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. He will be cremated with a private family interment.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers or memorials, we instead encourage acts of kindness and to never pass up the opportunity to show your family and friends how much they are loved.