Jacob “Jake” W. Wright, 91, of rural Marissa, IL died March 28, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville, IL.
Jake was born June 19, 1925 in Lusk, WY to Edward “Aud” and Viola, nee Holbrook, Wright. He married Elenora Kaiser of Evansville, IL on April 23, 1949 in St Louis, MO and has 5 children.
Jake was raised in rural West Plains, MO where his parents and 3 brothers are buried. Jake was a Sargent in the 89th Infantry 353rd Regiment in World War II participating in the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine River and participated in the liberation of the Ohrdruf Concentration Camp, the first Concentration Camp to be liberated. Jake received 2 Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantryman Badge while in the service.
Jake followed this with a lifetime career in the transportation business and enjoyed many years of post-retirement working at Wrights Do It Center. Jake was a 50 year plus member of the Boy Scouts of America serving as Scoutmaster at Troop 529 in Belleville and a Committee member at Troop 327 in Marissa. Jake received and achieved numerous Scouting awards thru his 50 plus years including the Silver Beaver Award. However his most cherished award being the Scouters Key for working with youth. Jake was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the New Athens Post 7710 and the American Legion Post 0565 in New Athens.
Jake was a good and loving Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather who cherished kids. He is survived by 3 sons and 2 daughters. James (Cynthia Meiners) Wright of St Louis, MO; Dennis (Kathy) Wright of Marissa, IL; Tom (Karen) Wright of Marissa, IL; Teresa (Brad) Mc Clanahan of Elkville, IL; and Mary (Steve) Lowe of Litchfield, IL. 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers – Louis, Ralph and James and wife Elenora.
Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.heilschuessler.com.
Memorials may be made to the Macke Resource Center or to Marissa Boy Scout Troop 327
Visitation: Friends may call at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa, IL on Monday, April 3, 2017 from 3:00pm to 9:00pm (Prayer service will be held at 3:00pm) and on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 9:00am to 9:30am
Funeral: A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, IL on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 10:00am with Father James Nall officiating.
Burial: Interment will be held in Saint Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Evansville, IL.
Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa, IL is in charge of arrangements.
I will sure miss taking care of Jacob! He knew how to brighten your day when u were mad or sad! RIP buddy ui will miss you! I took care of Jake at the nursing home he was staying in.
Posted by: Shauna Talbert – Coulterville, IL – Friend Mar 29, 2017
So sorry for your loss. May your family find comfort and peace.
Posted by: Janice Guebert Herring – Friend Mar 30, 2017
RIP Jake, you left a wonderful legacy behind.
Posted by: Laura & Michael Glenn – Fults, IL Mar 30, 2017
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Kathy Davis-Armstrong – Oklahoma City, OK – Friend Mar 30, 2017
Sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
Posted by: Linda Strickland – Arlington, TN – Friend Mar 30, 2017
Deepest Sympathy to the Wright Family. I lived Jake’s neighborhood until about 14 years ago plus I knew Kathy from work.vxu
Posted by: Janet Koseck – New Haven, MO – Neighbor Mar 30, 2017
My sincere sympathy to Denny and all the family members..Jake was a great person..he will be sadly missed..with love and prayers to all.
Posted by: suzan chamness – coulterville – Friend Mar 30, 2017
Jake was loved by everyone. I was sad when I heard the news, but he is reunited with his wife & the other family members & friends who have gone before him. My prayers are with his soul & the family.
Posted by: Edith (Lunk) Myers – Duluth, GA – Family Mar 31, 2017
Words are hard to come by. That can express by gratitude for having Mr Wright in my life. RIP Dear Friend
Posted by: Joe Sabo – Waterloo, IL – Family Friend Mar 31, 2017
Denny and Kathy–Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on the death of Jake. Too bad my dad and Jake never connected. I’m sure they would have had a lot to share, both being born in 1925 and service during WWII. My dad is still here (barely) and everyday is a challenge. As I spend time with him I’ll be thinking of you, and a hero named Jake. John Goodwin and Family
Posted by: john goodwin Apr 02, 2017
Teresa & Brad,
We are deeply saddened to hear of your Farhers passing. He was a good man and raised a family he can be proud of. He will be greatly missed.
Posted by: Michael Bottiaux – Herrin, IL – Acquaintance Apr 02, 2017
Denny and Kathy and family,
we extend our sympathy to you at this sad time. Jake was a wonderful man, scouter and friend. He will be missed. his smile and wit will be missed. I am sure he is having a interesting time with John Rule, John Ickelberger and Ed Buckles and others, I know there is some interesting conversations going on up there.
we are thinking of you all and you are in out prayers
John, Yvonne, Trevor and Noah Straeter
Posted by: john straeter – Carlyle, IL – Family Friend Apr 03, 2017
Denny, I just received word your father passed away on March 28. I am very sorry to hear this. He was obviously a fine person who had an excellent record in the service and won two Bronze Stars, and had a fine career in the transportation field, as well as being a wonderful Scout Master of Troop 529 in Belleville and Committee member at Troop 327 in Marissa. He also raised a fine family.
Posted by: Don Welge – Chester, IL – Family Friend Apr 03, 2017
Our sincere condolences dear Wright family
From the Hoelscher’s neighbors
Posted by: Janice Hoelscher williams – Belleville, IL – Neighbor Apr 04, 2017
Denny, I am so sorry about Jake, and that I missed the funeral. I was out of the country for the week. Jake was a great guy who has influenced me in a positive way since our Jamboree days of 1969. He and your family are in our prayers. Jake may be gone but his memory and legacy as a selfless leader and Christian will be with us for all time. God bless you, your family and Jake. He was a wonderful man. Dale and Brenda Sondag
Posted by: Dale and Brenda Sondag Apr 15, 2017