Jerry Jack, 82, of LaHarpe, Ill. passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after a mighty battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jerry was born on Feb 25, 1943, in Burlington, Iowa, to Max and Eleanor Rankin Jack. Max got TB, so the family moved to Wyoming to have him in a drier climate and utilize the iron lung. When Jerry was only three, his dad passed, so his mother and siblings rode a train back to Stronghurst with his dad’s body in the back of the train. Once the family settled in Stronghurst, his mother and grandparents, Roy and Emma Rankin, helped raise he and the siblings. His grandmother, Emma, taught Jerry how to grow a garden and often sang the song “The lily of the valley” to him in Swedish. His grandfather, Roy taught him how to be a wonderful father and honorable man of God. He spent all of his spare time in the country with them, and this started his love of farming. Jerry farmed with his Grandpa Rankin for eleven years following graduation from Stronghurst High School in 1961. Jerry first laid his eyes on Barbara Jarvis in first grade, and loved her ever since. They were married on her birthday, January 5, 1962. The young couple farmed and raised a huge garden, with the children helping.
In 1965, they were asked to be on a committee to see about starting a New Testament Church in West Burlington, Iowa. Several couples from Stronghurst and LaHarpe Christian Church were instrumental in starting the church, with Bernie Zylstra as the minister. Jerry was a deacon, and he and Barb both taught Sunday School. They stayed there for many years before returning to the Stronghurst Christian Church.
In 1972, the family left for Colorado to manage a motel. After a few years, Jerry was pulled back to his farming roots and landed an ag sales job. Farming was always close to his heart, as well as his enjoyment in raising goats.
Jerry enjoyed re-modeling, puzzles, and gardening, but especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his dog Cinnamin.
He was preceded in death by his father, Max Jack, mother, Eleanor Green; his stepfather, Jim Green, grandparents Roy and Emma Rankin, his brother, James Jack (Angela Myers), sister, Jackie Jannereth (Bob), brothers-in-law, Ken Jarvis and Rick Jarvis, sisters-in-law, Sandy Jarvis and Carol Jarvis Neff.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Barbara, 2 sons, Tim Jack and Dan (Christa) Jack, daughter Debbie (Brian) Scanlon, sisters-in-law, Angela Jack Myers and Marilyn (Boots) Jarvis, and brother in law Robert Jannereth. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Amanda (George) Hash (Izzy, Livvy), Emma (Jacob) Shaw (Aly, Ella, Abe), Jessie (Patrick) Bush (Atlas), Alyssa (JP) O’Brien, Ashley Scanlon, Jack (Kaylin) Scanlon (Rowen, Elijah, Patrick), John Scanlon, Sean Scanlon.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 13, 2026, at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe.
The funeral service for Jerry will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the LaHarpe Christian Church with Pastor Nate McCarter officiating. Cremation will be accorded following the services. A private family burial will be held in Stronghurst Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe Christian Church or Hospice Compassus.