Banks & Beals Funeral Home obituary – Jackie "Jack" Leon VanFleet, 76, LaHarpe

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VANFLEET

The beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, Jackie “Jack” Leon VanFleet, 76, of LaHarpe, Illinois, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. 

Jack was born March 8, 1946, at his parent’s country home near Tennessee, Illinois, the third child of David and Katharyn (Carter) VanFleet. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1964. 

As a child he worked on the farm taking care of the milk cows, hogs, and sheep. He also walked beans in the field, weeded the families’ huge gardens, and helped on the sawing of wood for heat in their pot belly stove. In high school, he worked at Pete Dorothy’s Standard Gas Station and for Russell Wagy’s construction company in Blandinsville. 

Later he worked at Sylvania and G.E. in Burlington where he retired after 34 years in 2001. He continued working building and repairing homes for friends and family up until his time of death. 

Jack was a faithful member and elder of Grace Bible Church near Dallas City. He was very active as an elder, helping anyone who needed help. He especially offered help and comfort to those suffering from health difficulties. He helped construct the new friendship hall at the church. He was known by everyone as a devout servant to the Lord with an always positive outlook on life. 

On November 20, 1965, Jack married the love of his life, Pamela Carey. Of this union, of nearly 57 years, three sons were born, David (Barb) VanFleet, Michael (Teresa) VanFleet and Christopher (Amy) VanFleet. 

Pam and Jack have 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Other surviving family members include 3 sisters, Nina (Bill) Fraise of Donnellson, IA, Pat (Bob) Boyer of Blandinsville and Marjorie (Leon) Solomon of Macomb and one bother, David (JoAnn) VanFleet, Jr. of Dallas City. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Katharyn VanFleet, his in-laws, Edwin and Ruth Ilene (Brown) Wingfield, his grandparents, Alma and Crit Carter and George and Myrtle (Logan) VanFleet. 

Jack enjoyed attending the activities of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to hunt on his farm and watch John Wayne and other old western movies. 

Jack’s greatest accomplishment may have been teaching his boys how to treat others, the value of hard work, the acceptance of responsibilities and to love the Lord.

Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Joe Stewart at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2022 at the Grace Bible Church in Dallas City with burial following in Hutchinson Cemetery south of Tennessee, Illinois. 

Friends may call at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 21st. 

A memorial fund has been established for the Grace Bible Church. To sign the guest book and leave a condolence for the family, please visit Jack’s obituary at banksandbeals.com

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