Harry Michael 'Mickey' Jackson, formerly of Ellis Grove
Harry Michael "Mickey" Jackson, 93, of Perryville, Missouri and formerly of Ellis Grove, passed away at 2:40 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 at Independence Care Center in Perryville.
He was born to the late Harry L. and Gertrude (nee Galligan) Jackson on Aug. 14, 1926 in Herrin, Illinois.
Harry withdrew from Chester High School in 1942 to join the U.S. Navy. He served his country in the Pacific Theater during World War II, 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 Jan. 26, 1952, Harry married Doris Evelyn Lodge in Lawrenceville, Illinois and together they raised five children.
Harry taught high school at Cisne and Clay City, Illinois, and earned a Master of Science degree 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 Harry 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.
He was active in the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and the 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 longtime stamp collector.
Harry joined the Boy Scouts of America at age 11 and from then 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.
Harry is survived by his wife, Doris Jackson, of Perryville; five children, Michael (Anna) Jackson of Ellis Grove, James (Barbara) Jackson of Affton, Missouri, Patti (Dr. Harry) Henderson of Sparta, Joyce Jackson of Chesterfield, Missouri and Mollie (Robert) Wallace of Indianapolis, Indiana; two brothers-in-law, Dr. George Ragland of Webster Groves, Missouri and Dale Smith of Benton, Illinois; six grandchildren, Erica (Lawrence) Zerante, Courtney (Olivia) Henderson, Christopher (Erica) Jackson, Andrew Jackson (Audra Robinson), Ciara (Maxwell) Petri and Lauren (John Palmer) Jennings; six great-grandchildren, Emily Jackson, Wade & Desi Zerante, Karolina Jennings, Kaiden Palmer and Orin Jackson; five step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dr. Tommie Lee Ragland; two sisters-in-law, Patricia Smith and Avenell Lodge; one brother-in-law, Kenneth Lodge and a son-in-law, Stephen Jennings.
The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019 at Pechacek Funeral Homes, in Chester, Illinois, with the Rev. Kevin Barron officiating. Interment will follow at Paradise Cemetery in Steeleville.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, at Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester.
The family suggests memorials be given in Harry's name to the Boy Scouts of America, the Perryville United Methodist Church Roofing Fund or Honor Flight of Greater St. Louis.
To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit www.wpfh.net.