John Franklin Hacker Jr.

VIENNA - John Franklin Hacker Jr., 86, passed away at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, in St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

John was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Vienna, the son of John Franklin Hacker Sr. and Icvilla (Shrater) Hacker.

John is survived by a brother, Elmer "Pee Wee" Hacker of Vienna; nieces and nephews, Gary Hacker, Don Hacker, Lois Ludwig, John Paul Hacker, Alice Gayle, Gerry Cox, Jim Johnston, Kathy Splitgerber and Billie Plunkett; many great-nieces and great-nephews and other relatives; and many dear friends, including Jamie Simmons, Ted Nelson, Bill Shelby, Kenneth Carter and Mary Jane Reynolds Webb.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by two brothers, Amaziah Hacker and Earl Hacker; four sisters, Alberta Miller, Erma Johnston, Verna Margaret Rann and Christine Hacker; two nephews, Doug Hacker and Bobby Plunkett; a niece, Jane Hacker; and a special friend, Bill Wengert.

John was a graduate of Vienna Grade School and Vienna High School. He was a graduate of DePaul University with a master's degree in history and social studies.

John was a U.S. Marine infantry veteran. He served in the European Theater of operation during World War II. John participated in the U.S. invasion at Normandy. He shared recollections with his family and friends of wartime landings in a glider.

John was an educator. He taught history for more than 30 years in the Chicago Vocational School and Lane Technical School. John retired in the late 1980s and returned to his native Johnson County.

John loved spending time with his family and many friends. He had a lifelong interest in history and politics. He enjoyed art, architecture, antique and furniture collecting, fine cuisine, gardening and home restoration projects. John is remembered as the center of his family and while having no children of his own, he freely spent time with his nieces and nephews and shared his love of life with them.

Services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, in Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Burial will be in Vienna Fraternal Cemetery, with military graveside rites accorded by Beggs-Gurley VFW Post 5222 of Vienna. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4503 W. DeYoung St., Suite 200C, Marion, IL 62959; the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Program ? F, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905; or the Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society, PO Box 1207, Vienna, IL 62995.

To leave an online message of condolence, visit www.baileyfh.com.