Jack Pearson

1927 - 2015

JACK C. PEARSON, 88 ROCKFORD - Jack C. Pearson, 88, of Rockford, died September 25, 2015 at Wesley Willows Retirement Home, surrounded by his family. Born Apr. 19, 1927 in Rockford the son of Cecil and Marie (Belski) Pearson. He graduated from East High School, class of 1945, and attended Rockford Business College. Jack served in the US Army, as military police in Belgium and Germany. He married the love of his life, Leila Calhoun March 25, 1950, in Rockford; she predeceased him Mar. 27, 2014. Jack worked as Plant Manager for Gordon Bartels Company for 42 years. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and belonged to the YMCA Retired Men's Club, the VFW Post 1451 in Belvidere, and the East High Reunion Committee. Jack was a Chicago Cubs and Bears fan and enjoyed dancing with his wife on Saturday nights, golf, gardening, cards, and conversation. He was very proud of his family and passed along the virtues of honesty and hard work through the way he lived his life. He is survived by his children, Paula (Ned) Kessman, Gregg (Lucy) Pearson, Jackie (Dean) Norem, and Tyler (Heather) Pearson; grandchildren, Neil Kessman (fiancée, Abby Usedom), Leah (Matthew) Carlson, and Corbin Pearson; and great-grandchildren, Andrew and Rachel Carlson. Predeceased by parents and his brother, Lowell Pearson. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Wesley Willows, with a special thank you to the nursing staff that supported the family Friday evening. Memorial service will be 5 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2015 with Chaplain MaryLou Eubanks officiating, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 2nd Ave. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 Third Ave. Rockford, IL 61104 or to the Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund, 4141 North Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103. To share a memory or condolence, visit

olsonfh.com.