Jeffries, Jack J.

Jack J. Jeffries, 87, of Vinton, died Thursday, June 21, 2012, at Windsor Manor in Vinton following a long illness. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Memorial visitation will be held Saturday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until service time. Inurnment will be in Glidden Westlawn Cemetery, Glidden, Iowa, at a later date.

Jack was born Feb. 13, 1925, in Elk Point, S.D., the son of Jay and Geneva Newman Jeffries. He was raised in South Dakota and attended school there. He was drafted into the Navy at age 17, serving in World War II as a bugler on the U.S.S. Enterprise. After three years at war, he returned home and graduated from high school.

On June 13, 1954, Jack was united in marriage with Ruth Conner in Glidden, Iowa. The couple resided in South Dakota until 1965, when they moved to Vinton so their son could attend the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School (IBSSS).

Jack worked various jobs throughout his life, but after moving to Vinton, he was the maintenance man at IBSSS. He retired in 1988.

He was a member of the Vinton Presbyterian Church and Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 in Vinton.

Jack is survived by his wife, Ruth of Vinton; his children, Joel and Colleen Jeffries of Chicago, Kala and Kent Hill of Swansea, Ill.; Lyle and Karla Jeffries of Urbandale, and Faye and Jeff Gillespie of Cedar Rapids; eight grandchildren, Paul (Lindsey) Jeffries, Grant (Amber), Nicholas and Jennifer Hill, Tanner, Daniel and Ellen Jeffries, and Eric Jeffries; and one sister, Lavina Shoop of Custer, S.D.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Jason; and two brothers, Stan and Leonard Jeffries.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice Compassus.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Jack and his family.

Condolences may be left at .