John J. "Jack" Shedelbower

NEWTON - John J. "Jack" Shedelbower age 74 passed away peacefully at 2:48 PM home, surrounded by his family, the day after Father's Day, June 22, 2009. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday, June 25, 2009 at St. Thomas The Apostle Church in Newton, Illinois. A funeral mass will be celebrated at the church at 10:30 am Friday, June 26, 2009 with Fr. Joseph Molloy and Fr. Al Kemme concelebrating mass. Burial will be at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. There will also be visitation 1 hour before the mass. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Thomas New Church Building Fund or the Lincolnland Hospice. Arrangements are under the care of the Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. Jack was born January 7, 1935 in Decatur, Illinois to Geneva M. Sheridan. He married Merle Anita Willis on his 21st birthday, January 7, 1956 in Evansville, Indiana. Jack spent his early childhood in Decatur, moving to Ste. Marie, Illinois and graduating from Newton Community High School in 1953. He continued his education graduating from Lockyear's Business College in 1955. He spent four years in the US Air Force beginning in 1956 which included time in Thule Greenland. Starting a family while in the service, Tam was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and Tim in Evansville, Indiana. After the Air Force he settled his family in Newton having three more children, Steve, Randy and Beth. He began working at Jesse B. Holt in 1961 as an accountant; spending 40 years helping the company grow from a small lumber yard to a complete building supply. He also provided bookkeeping services to several local businesses. Jack was a member of St. Thomas The Apostle Church for 48 years, serving as a Lector, Parish Finance Council, Trustee (19 years), Parish Finance Committee, Christmas Choir, Bingo Committee, Treasurer of Booster Club, President of First Parish Council and Lecturer Chairman. He was an assistant manager for the Little League K of C Cub baseball team as well as a Webelos Leader. He had been a member of the Jaycees serving as First Vice President and Treasurer. As a member of the Knights of Columbus, he served as Financial Secretary for 14 years plus various committees including Co-chairman of Dedication Committee for the new building. He was bookkeeper, Director, Assistant Secretary, Secretary-Treasurer for the Jasper Columbian Home Association. Jack was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed for organizations as well his family and many friends. Survivors include his wife, Merle, and five children Tam Page (Doug) (Newton), Tim Shedelbower (Jane Ann) (Champaign), Steve Shedelbower (Charlotte) (Dieterich), Randy Shedelbower (Sandy) (Fenton, Missouri) and Beth Nosbisch (Wayne) (Effingham). Twelve grandchildren Luke, Jenny (fiancé Michael Kistner) and Caitlin Page, Jackson and Alec Shedelbower, Kaila and Amber Shedelbower, Wyatt and Gavin Shedelbower; Brock, Kristi and Bo Nosbisch. Jack was preceded in death by his mother Geneva, step-father Ed Shedelbower and step-father George Swortfiger. Jack will be dearly missed but forever in our hearts, as a loving husband, father and grandfather. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/ Obituaries.asp