Jack E. Wilcox

HERRIN - Jack E. Wilcox, 81, of Herrin, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna.

Jack was a company manager for Brooks Paper Manufacturing in Ordill. He worked as a circulation manager for the Southern Illinoisan for 16 years, and he also worked for other newspapers in the area. He ran a small business from home and retired from Duracontainers.

Jack was a member of the First Baptist Church of Herrin for 74 years and served as a deacon for eight years. He was active in the Boy Scouts. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of The Order of the Arrow. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.

Jack was a veteran of the Army during the Vietnam War.

Jack was born Oct. 25, 1943, in Herrin to Leon and Emalene (Childers) Wilcox.

Jack married Sue (Giacomo) Vaughn in July of 2008 in Herrin. She preceded him in death on Jan. 31, 2022.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Emily Wilcox of Tunnel Hill; daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Rob Galloway of Breckenridge, Colorado; mother, Emalene Wilcox of Energy; grandchildren, Trey and Taylor Wilcox, Jack and Sidnee Wilcox, Nate and Alisha Wilcox, and Joe Wilcox; four great-grandchildren, Reid, Grayson, Reagan and Avery; sister and brother-in-law, Pamela and Michael Petty of rural Creal Springs; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife and father.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, in Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home in Herrin, with the Rev. Mark Goldman officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Herrin City Cemetery, with military rites performed by Herrin American Legion Post 645, Baker-Ladd VFW Post 1567 and Carterville American Legion Post 347.

Memorial donations may be made to Illinois Veterans Home at Anna, 792 N. Main St., Anna, IL 62906; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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