Vigen Memorial Home obituary – Jason Wayne Pohren, 39, Hamilton

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Jason Wayne Pohren, 39, of Hamilton, IL, went to be with the Lord on March 19, 2018.

He was born on September 28, 1978 in Burlington, IA, the son of Gary Wayne and Norma Jean Church Pohren. Jason graduated from Keokuk Senior High with the Class of 1997. After his high school graduation he was selected to enter the pipefitter apprenticeship program. He successfully completed the four-year program and attained journeyman status as a pipefitter and welder. Jason then entered Western Illinois University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration He later attended Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale, IL where he graduated with highest honors, Magna Cum Laude. He was awarded the academic excellence award and the Illinois Legislative Scholarship by the late Representative Richard P. Myers. During his law school career, he served as a judicial intern of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier. Jason also served as a law clerk for the SIU Ombudsman’s Office where he authored criminal appeals for college students.

After graduation from WIU he accepted employment with the Hamilton, IL Police Department and was named “Top Cop” by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He was also awarded the Life Saving Medal and the Investigation Commendation Medal.

After graduation from law school, he began employment with the Milwaukee, WI based personal injury law firm of Hausmann-McNally, S.C. He was employed with the firm for six years and practiced law in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Federal District Court of the Northern District of Illinois. As an attorney with Hausmann-McNally, he successfully tried over one hundred cases before jury trial, arbitration and mediation. Jason managed the firm’s Rockford, IL office and was responsible for representing the firm in Freedom of Information Act litigation in the State of Illinois. In addition, he served as an Arbitrator and Arbitration Chairperson for the 17th Judicial District. He also attended Northwestern University where he received training in Divorce and Civil Mediation. While employed with Hausmann-McNally, Jason maintained his law enforcement certifications and served as a patrolman and field training officer on a part-time basis for the Hamilton and Nauvoo Police Departments.

Jason was elected to be the Hancock County State’s Attorney in 2014 and was currently serving in that office. He had recently been nominated to the office of President of the Hancock County Bar Association for 2018. Most recently he started Midwest Family Mediation which provided professional family mediation services for the 9th Judicial Circuit of Illinois and the 8th Judicial Circuit of Iowa.

He was a member of the Golden Point Christian Church in Hamilton, IL, the Hancock County Republican Central Committee, the Hancock County Teen Court Board, the Illinois Bar Association and the Hancock County Bar Association.

Jason was a gifted woodworker and one of his special projects was crafting a quilt cabinet for his mother. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and being involved in community activities. Jason especially enjoyed spending time with his son, Juris and helping him with his athletic and academic endeavors. They enjoyed playing video games together and watching baseball games. Jason and Juris made a special trip to the East coast for a major league baseball game tour.

His is survived by his son, Juris Pohren, his fiancé, Phoebe Wilson of Carthage, IL, one sister, Kimberly Taylor (Brett) of Cedar Rapids, IA, one brother, Michael Wayne Pohren of Burlington, IA, one uncle & aunt, Steve & Paula Pohren of Farmington, IA, four nephews, Colton Pohren of Burlington, IA, Clayton Pohren of Middletown, IA, Jadon Taylor and Wesley Taylor both of Cedar Rapids, IA, one great-nephew, Jensen Adams of Lewistown, MO, cousins, Chris and Terra Pohren of Farmington, IA, great-aunt and uncle, Jo & Terry Havel of Lone Tree, IA, several great aunts, his future mother-in-law, Lois Wilson of Carthage IL, future sister-in-law Debbie Boyles and husband Tony and their children, Holly, Johnathan and Cole, his best friends, Jason Zenk and Nick Jamerson, and many other friends and co-workers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother in infancy, Gary Pohren, Jr., his maternal and paternal grandparents, one aunt, Deborah Chevonic and one cousin, Laura Pohren

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday at the First Christian Church, 3476 Main Street in Keokuk with Pastor Larry Menschel officiating. Burial will be in the Harmony Cemetery in rural Carthage, IL.

Visitation will be held after 1 p.m., Friday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk with the family meeting with friends from 5 – 8 p.m.A memorial of the family’s choosing will be established.

On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com.

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