Robert Hartwell Jacks

1921 - 2012

Robert Hartwell Jacks, 90, of Rensselaer passed away Wednesday morning, Jan. 25, 2012 at St. Elizabeth East Hospital in Lafayette.
Robert was born in Rensselaer on Dec. 14, 1921, son of Elmer and Letha (Wood) Jacks.
He graduated from Rensselaer High School with the class of 1939. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1940-1946, serving as an aviation fire controlman aboard the USS Saratoga CV-3 aircraft carrier in the South Pacific and in Honolulu, Hawaii.
On Feb. 23, 1951 Robert married Vivian Lucille Studer, and she survives. He was a lifelong self-employed crop and livestock farmer in the Rensselaer area. He was an active member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, a 50-year member of the Masonic Temple, a member of VFW Post 1279, and a member of American Legion Post 29. Robert enjoyed bowling, ballroom dancing, playing ping-pong, and reading.
He is survived by his loving family, wife of nearly 61 years, Vivian Jacks of Rensselaer; two sons, Doug (Cindy) Jacks of Lafayette, Ind. and Don (Heidi) Jacks of Mattawan, Mich.; daughter, Cynthia (Jacks) Morgan of Brandon, Miss.; daughter-in-law, Susan Jacks of Westtown, N.Y.; and sister, Joan Melchoirs of Evansville, Ind.; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ardis Owen and Lorene Nelson; his son, David Jacks; and a son-in-law, Carl Morgan.
Friends will be received at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Rensselaer on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. (CST). Funeral services will be at the church at 11 a.m. with Rev. John Hostetter officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at Crockett Cemetery at CR 725 South and 70 W in Marion Township.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church.
Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer is handling the arrangements.
Share memories and condolences online at www.SteinkeFuneralHome.com.