Mack Dennis Jackman, age 82, of Lawrenceville, Illinois passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at his residence. He was born on December 29, 1940 in Vincennes, Indiana, the son of Mack and Leila Mae (Gray) Jackman. He married Nancy Jent, and together they had one daughter, Sara. He then married Irene Thill on June 25, 1983, and she survives.
Dennis worked at the Texaco Refinery before moving to California, where he worked in the transportation department at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He then worked for Halter Machine Shop and Vincennes University, where he taught small engine mechanics. After retirement, he dedicated numerous hours of service to the Zion United Methodist Church in Lawrenceville.
He was very proud to have played tuba in the Marching Salukis at Southern Illinois University in the late ‘50s and several instruments in both the Dixieland Jazz Ensemble and Kinsmen Folk Trio. While touring the country with the Kinsmen, they were honored to perform on the Ted Mack Show, the Grand Ole Opry, the Jack Linkletter Hootenanny Show, New York World’s Fair, as well as Carnegie Hall. The Kinsman were also honored as Grand Marshall for the SIU Homecoming Parade in the late ‘90s.
He belonged to the Delta Chi Fraternity while attending SIU. He was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church, a Lifetime member of the SIU Alumni Association, the Elks, was Past Exalted Ruler of the local Elks Lodge while living in California and had 20 plus years of service on the Board of Directors for the Ambraw Credit Union.
Dennis thoroughly enjoyed playing guitar and/or harmonica with friends and family, big family gatherings, and attending Saluki football weekends.
Preceding him in death were his parents and two sisters, Carol Anne Delaney and Janet Lee Bogenpohl.
Survivors include his wife, Irene; daughter, Sara Jackman of South Lake Tahoe, California; one brother, Jon Jackman and wife, Cindy of Cobden, Illinois; one granddaughter, Lia Mae Jackman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM CDT at the Zion United Methodist Church, located at 6658 County Club Road, Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Zion United Methodist Church or the Lawrenceville Humane Society. Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements.
Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.