Leslie Eugene Jackson

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Leslie Eugene "Gene" Jackson, age 83, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 at 9:40 p.m. in Good Samaritan Regional Health Center, Mt. Vernon, Ill.

Gene was born on Aug. 2, 1926 in St. John, Ill., a son to William Leslie and Lavina (Holland) Jackson. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving in Japan during World War II. On April 10, 1945, he married Betty May Thomas in Pinckneyville, Ill. and she preceded him in death on Oct. 19, 2009 after 64 years of marriage. He had operated Betsy's Concessions since 1953 with his wife, Betty. They then managed a resort park in Haines City, Fla. and had lived in Florida for the winters for 29 years but moved back to Pinckneyville in 1998. Gene was a member of Winkle Baptist Church, Coulterville, Ill. and Showman's League of America, and was a Mason and a Shriner. He enjoyed woodworking, pocket knives, clocks, rare coins and after retiring enjoyed yard work and making new friends, and loved spending time with his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his son, Fred (Katha) Jackson of Arley, Ala.; daughter, Paulette (Norm) Keene of Pinckneyville, Ill.; two brothers, James (Ivory) Jackson of Odenville, Ala. and Raymond (Dorothy) Jackson of Columbia, Mo.; a sister, Mildred Burris of Coulterville, Ill.; seven grandchildren, Kendra Jackson, Keegan (Ashley) Jackson, Kella Jackson, Leslie (Jeff) Miller, Jacqueline Griffin, Chantelle Miller and Jennie Hester; five great-grandchildren, Mason Miller, Zackery Hester, Jacob Miller, Jaden Miller and Noah Grace Jackson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother-in-law, Warren Burris.

Funeral services were held at Winkle Baptist Church, Coulterville, Ill. on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Jeff Downard and Brother Tim Bauersachs officiating. Interment was in Bethel Cemetery, Swanwick, Ill.

Friends called at Winkle Baptist Church, Coulterville, Ill. on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Winkle Baptist Church Mission Fund.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.