Jack Howard Van Ausdall

1924 - 2019

Jack Howard Van Ausdall, 95 of Salem, Ill., passed away Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at Centralia Manor.

Jack was born Aug. 28, 1924, in Hamilton, Ill., to Luman H. Van Ausdall and Ellen (Atterberg) Van Ausdall.

He joined the Army and served in World War II, during which he was a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient.

Jack then married Betty Lucille Archibald on Sept. 24, 1949, in Des Moines. She preceded him in death.

Jack worked as a mail carrier and school bus driver, owned and operated Van Ausdall Trailer Sales, farmed, trained many types of horses, and raised and raced standardbred horses for many years, until he retired. He had three major loves-his wife, his family and his horses. He also enjoyed fishing, music, dancing, eating whole fried catfish and watching Cardinal baseball.

Jack is survived by four children, Randy Van Ausdall and wife Grace of Alma, Ill., Carla McMeen and husband Gary of Alma, Jo Ellen Grizzle and husband Wayne "Bill" of Salem, and Andrea Whitney and husband Steve of Salem; seven grandchildren, Andrew Van Ausdall, Becky Powell and husband Charles, Jason McMeen and wife Becky, Chad McMeen and wife Judy, Megan Kessler and husband Jason, Stacy Collier and Amanda Whitney; 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Betty; two sisters and six brothers.

Funeral Services for Jack Howard Van Ausdall will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m. at the Alma Christian Church in Alma, with Randy Van Ausdall officiating. Burial will follow in the Alma Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded at the cemetery by the Salem American Legion.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, or the donors choice.

Rogers-Atkins Funeral Home in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Online obituary information can be found at RogersAtkinsFuneralHome.com.