Jesse Aaron Vail II

Jesse Aaron Vail II, originally of Evanston, IL, passed away peacefully at his home in Beaver Dam, WI, on Aug. 7, 2003. Jesse was born Feb. 21, 1928 in Evanston, IL. Jesse had a long and illustrious career in athletics, coaching and education. Jesse was the son of Samuel Crane and Harriet Lyons Vail, formerly of Evanston who both preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Rita Perkins Vail, also originally from Evanston; his sister Blanche (William J.) Gleiss of Sparta, WI; his five children: Kenneth Crane Vail (Sandra) of Kalamazoo, MI, Debbie Jimenez (Mario) of Justice, IL, Jesse Aaron Vail III ''Jay'' of Beaver Dam, WI, Mark Warrington Vail (Carmella) of Wauwatosa, WI and Vicki Lynn Rahl (Joseph) of Irving, TX. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Samuel Scott Vail and Kenneth Crane Vail Jr. of Royal Oak and Kalamazoo, MI, Mason, Chandler and Nolan Vail of Wauwatosa, WI, and Justin Rahl of Irving, TX. He has a number of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Before graduating from Evanston High School, he attended Culver Military Academy and Andover Academy. His Collegiate career included attendance at Michigan State University and Carleton College before receiving a B.A. degree in Physical Education and Mathematics from Depauw University, in Greencastle, IN. He also received an M.S. in Educational Administration from North Dakota State University. Jesse was a former football coach and athletic administrator at the high school, collegiate and professional level. He coached football at North Central College in Naperville, IL and Culver Stockton College in Canton, MO, where he was also athletic director. High school football coaching experiences included Ishpeming High School in Ishpeming, MI, Battle Creek Central High School, Battle Creek, MI, Morton East High School, Cicero, IL, Crete Monee High School, Crete, IL, Paris High School, Paris, IL, Carmel High School, Mundelein, IL and Darlington High School, Darlington, WI. Jesse was named as a coach to the North Central College All-Century Team and led them to a conference championship. He is a charter member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association, and a member of the High School and the College Football Coaches Hall of Fame, as well as the Minor League Professional Football Hall of Fame. His professional football coaching included the Joliet Explorers and Chargers, where he served as coach and general manager, Lake County Rifles, and Flint Generals. Jesse was also a member of the American Football Coaches Association. Jesse additionally had a long career in education and administration at various correctional institutions including the Stateville Correctional Facility in Joliet, IL, Waupun Correctional Institution in Waupun, WI, and the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer, MI. Jesse was a founder of the Illinois High School Coaches Clinics. Jesse in his retirement continued his interest in football and regularly attended University of Wisconsin, Northwestern University, Michigan State University and Chicago Bears football games. He also was still actively involved in coaching at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, WI. He had deep ties to his summer home in Ephraim, WI, in Door County. Through Jesse's long career in education and athletics, he has had a positive impact on the lives of many people. Football and his family were his life and loves. He was a dynamic and energetic man to the final hours and he will be sorely missed by all that knew him. Visitation will be at Donnellan Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 from 4 to 9 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 7:30 p.m. followed by Interment at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, MO on Aug. 13, 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials that will be donated to the Illinois High School Coaches Association and Minor League Professional Football Hall of Fame.