Wilmer Charles "Wimpy" Jacobs 89 of Shannon Illinois went home to be with his lord on December 4, 2023. Wimpy sometimes shortened to Wimp, was given his nickname at the age of 9 by his Sunday school teacher for his love of hamburgers, just like the sidekick of "Popeye the sailor man" a popular cartoon at the time. He was the son of William and Marie (Meier) Jacobs born on January 24,1934 at home in Ridott IL.

His family moved to Shannon IL in 1943. He graduated from Shannon high school in 1952. During high school he took pride in his many FFA activities, going to Boys State in 1951 and winning the Babe Ruth sportsman award in 1952. He was president of his class all 4 years and took great pride in getting as many classmates as he could together each labor day during the Shannon Labor day festivities. He went on to run his owned an operated custom corn shelling business around the community from 1958-1965. At that time he attended and graduated from Highland Community College with a degree in Tool and Dye. He worked in this capacity for Micro Switch/Honeywell from 1965-1996. His 15 minutes of fame came when he designed and made a part that was installed on the moon buggy and was taken to the moon.

He was a man committed to service, of his country, his community, his church and his family.

Wimp served in the Army from 1956-1958. Serving in England and Germany as a medic, fireman and cook. He went where he was needed.

He loved his community of Shannon and served it in many different rolls. 1976-1988 Board of Education - past president, 1988-2022 Shannon Lions Club (1990) Secretary; (1992) President - Homecoming coordinator, 1989-1991 Rose Chairman, 1995-2005 Candy Day Chairman, Also with the Lions club he helped with the 4th of July fire works, Labor Day parade and the National BBQ event,

He was the town santa for over 30 years, bringing smiles and joy to many girls and boys. He also volunteered to be an Eastland grade school mentor and reading buddy to students for several of his later years.

He was president of the Lake Carroll Fishing club in 1990 and was involved that year in starting a scholarship for the area students. He coordinated many of the fish frys that were known for their delicious beer batter fish to people who would come from all over to support their efforts.

2000-2023 Board of Shannon Cherry Grove Township, 1998-2006 Board of Forreston Mutual Ins. Co. Shannon zoning committee.

In 2004 he was chosen as DAR recipient by the mayor for community service.

Both Wimp and his wife Dianne ran the Shannon-Lanark Food Pantry for many many years. In 2009 they were honored as Grand Marshalls of the Labor Day parade for their service to the Shannon community.

He was a lifetime member of Zion church of Freeport. As such he served his church in many ways. He was a beginner Sunday school teacher, Chairman of the church board 4 times, sang in the choir, played on the church baseball and basketball teams, chairman of the new church building committee and served as financial secretary for the church. This is also where he met the love of his life, Dianne Rockey at young peoples. They were married in the church on May 21, 1955 and cherished their 68 years together.

His true joy though was his family! From the traveling with his wife and then kids, to the many fishing trips with his grandkids. He loved to "crawdad" with his son and grandsons on the trips to Minocqua WI and made many lasting memories for all of them. He and Dianne traveled to every state in the US and Canada as well as England, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain. He loved serving at the Malcolm Eaton porkchop fund raiser with the rest of the Jacobs' family, a facility for the handicapped in Freeport where his nephew attended.

In his spare time he loved doing wood working projects, traveling to sell at craft shows with his wife, fishing, gardening and seeing and being with family. He left a list of last wishes and at the bottom before signing it he wrote this: I love you all. I have had a good life!

Wilmer is survived by his wife, Dianne nee: Rockey; his daughter LeAnne (Keith) Rink, Downers Grove IL his son Daryn (Michelle) Jacobs, Forreston IL; his grandsons: Ryan Fransen, Black Mountain NC; Ross Fransen, Shannon IL; Conner Jacobs, Forreston IL. His siblings: Roger (Phyllis) Jacobs, Pearl City; Earl (Chris) Jacobs, Clermont FL, Ken (Barb) Jacobs, Freeport IL; Shirley (Scott) Deininger, Moorseville NC; sister-in-law Carol Jacobs, Freeport IL; Brother - in - law Ken (Sharon) Cash, Oracle AZ and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers August, Arthur, sister Martha and sister-in-law Nancy.

Visitation will be held on Friday December 8, 2023, from 5:30 PM - 8 PM, at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel, 608 S. Park Blvd in Freeport, IL. Funeral service will be held on Saturday December 9, 2023 at 12 noon, at Zion Church of Freeport, 4292 W. Stephenson St. Rd, Freeport, IL., with Pastor Steve Rios officiating. Friends may call at the church at 10:30 AM until time of service. Interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.

A memorial has been established in his memory.