Ray Jacobs

Ray Everett Jacobs, 86 of La Grange, Missouri passed away Monday evening February 13, 2017 at Hannibal Regional Hospital. Ray was born October 5, 1930 in Marcelline, Illinois the fifth child of fourteen children born to John H. and Theresa M. Gallamore Jacobs. At an early age they moved to Canton, Mo. where he grew up. On August 27, 1953 he was united in marriage to Joan K. Merrell at St. Peter’s Lutheran parsonage by the late Rev. Paul Beinke. She survives of the home. He was drafted into the U.S. Army August 7, 1951 and was sent to Korea. He attained the rank of Corporal and served in the Battery Division 13th AAA Gun Battalion, SET 76 during the Korean War. He was wounded and eligible to receive the Purple Heart which he did not take. He was released from active duty May of 1953 and remained in the reserves. His service to his country was one of his proudest achievements. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Before entering the service, he was employed by the La Grange Foundry and returned there upon discharge. He later was employed for 28 years by MO Gravel/Central Stone, retiring early due to injury. Before his health declined, he enjoyed fishing, camping and riding his motorcycle. Recent years he made scrapbooks from his time in Korea. The last four and a half years he resided at the Lewis County Nursing Home in Canton. He loved Ȑhis girlsȑ: the many caretakers he had and constantly teased them and played jokes on them. He gave each a nick name and we know he loved them and we are deeply grateful for the wonderful care they gave him. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Raetta Cook and her husband Lee and son, Tony Jacobs, both of La Grange; his grandson, Jacob Cook of Palmyra and his granddaughters, Krystle Cook of Canton and Gretchen (Tyler) Dennison of Eagle River, Alaska; great-grandchildren, Dakota and Kyleigh Dennison; sisters, Stella Halcomb of Mendon, Il. and Leona Strahlman of Davenport, Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Phyllis Merrell of La Grange and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Amanda Sue Jacobs, seven brothers, Leonard, Alvin, Vernon, John Dee, Dale, Terry and David at birth; four sisters, Beulah Sherwood, Wanetta Decker, Lottie Whetstine and Alvera Bross. Ray’s wishes were to be no visitation, but to have friends and family attend the graveside funeral services held Friday, February 17, 2017 in the Marks Cemetery in La Grange, Missouri with Rev. Kenneth Schamber officiating. Graveside Military Honors will be provide by American Legion Otto Bruner Post 170. Pallbearers: Lee Cook, Jacob Cook, Krystle Cook, Gregory Farr, Rod Merrell and Brent Merrell. Honorary Pallbearers: Duane Merrell, Paul Guilfoyle, Leonard Jacobs, Kenny Gene Bross, Gretchen Dennison and Misty Todd. The family requests in lieu of flowers that a donation be made in Ray’s memory to The American Diabetes Assoc., Lewis County Nursing Home or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldsfuneralhome.net