Jack L. Corum

TUSCOLA - Jack L. Corum, 86, of Tuscola, formerly of Arthur, passed away at 12:28 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 30, 2025) at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Tuscola United Methodist Church, 901 N. Prairie St., Tuscola, with the Rev. Anne Fuquay officiating. Burial will follow in Bement Township Cemetery, Bement. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 S. Main St., Tuscola.

Jack was born on Oct. 18, 1938, in Decatur, the son of Linzy and Nellie Pierce Corum. He married Sharon E. Gorrell on Oct. 29, 1959, in Bement. She survives.

He is survived by his sons, Jack (Mischele) Corum of Charleston and Chris (Lisa) Corum of Tuscola; five grandchildren, Nichole (Brad) Brophy of Montgomery, Ohio, Andrew (Heather) Corum of Tuscola, Michael (Dana) Corum of Tolono, Emily (Andrew) Scherzer of Mahomet and Jeremy (Kirsten) Corum of Springfield; 10 great-grandchildren, Tucker, Alexis, Max, Devin, Ada, Taylor, Briggs, Brinn, Avery and Archie; a great-great-grandchild, Ezra; and brothers, Eugene Corum of Monticello and Willliam (Maryann) Corum of Oklahoma City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, a brother and a granddaughter. 

Jack started working a Kintener's IGA in Bement at 14 years of age, sorting pop bottles and candling eggs. He continued to work there for 24 years on weekends and breaks from teaching.

He graduated from Bement High School in 1956 and graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1961. After college, he taught two years at Toledo, then taught for 30 years at the Arthur Junior High School, where he taught geography and American history. After retiring, he substituted for another 15 years. He also spent many years as a part-time custodian for Arthur High School while teaching. Jack and Sharon ushered for the UI sports programs for many years.

Jack loved attending his sons' and grandchildren's athletic events, and the baseball diamond in Arthur is named in his honor.

A lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, Jack loved baseball, and Stan Musial was his favorite player. He attended games at every Major League Baseball park with his brother, Gene. 

Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice. Online condolences may be shared at hilligossshraderfh.com.