Kenneth R. Jacobus' Obituary
Kenneth R. Jacobus, 95, of Decatur, passed away Sunday July 17, 2016 at Decatur Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.
Kenneth was born March 15, 1921, in Pana, to Emile and Mattie (Haynes) Jacobus. Following completion of high school in 1939, he worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company in Decatur, Springfield, Effingham and Centralia from 1940 until he retired in 1981. He married Betty Jo Hutson on December 6, 1941 in St. Charles, MO. Kenneth left the next day for the Army serving with the signal corps in Iran and Italy during WWII. He held membership in the VFW and American Legion and he was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
He is survived by two daughters, Paula (Larry) Leighton of Leawood, KS and Diane (Barney) Newberry of South Boston, VA; two sons, Stephen Michael Jacobus of Decatur and David Michael Jacobus of Cerro Gordo; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty Jo of nearly 70 years; two brothers, two half- sisters and four half- brothers.
Private graveside services for the life of Kenneth Jacobus will be held at a later date in Lennwood Cemetery in Pana. Memorials may be directed to Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675.
The family of Kenneth Jacobus being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Avenue, Decatur, IL. View the online obituary and send condolences to the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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