George D. "Jack" Brokaw

George D. "Jack" Brokaw, 92, of Biggsville, Illinois, passed away on June 5, 2015 in Stronghurst, Illinois. He was born September 4, 1922, near Raritan, Illinois, the son of George E. and Mary Gunter Brokaw.

Jack was a 1940 graduate of Media High School. He served in the Army Air Force as a member of the 397th fighter squadron during World War II in the European Theater, and participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. While stationed in England, he met his future wife, Pat, whom he married on July 2, 1945 in Manchester, England. She preceded him in death on March 25, 2004.

After the war, he and Pat returned to the states and lived in Raritan, IL, and Kansas City, MO. They moved to the farm near Biggsville in 1948, where they lived until 1999 when they moved into their new home on West Street in Biggsville. After Pat’s death, Jack continued to live there until 2013, when he moved to Oakwood Estates in Stronghurst.

Jack loved farming and was extremely active in promoting land conservation. He enjoyed doing stonework, woodworking, and stained glass. He was a lifelong learner who loved to read, travel, design and create. He was a member of the Rozetta Baptist Church. He served 34 years on the board of directors of the Raritan State Bank. He was a 32nd Degree Mason of the Abraham Lincoln Lodge #518. He was a charter member of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and served on numerous county and civic boards during his lifetime. He chaired the committee to get the County District Library formed and help build its first building on Main Street, in Biggsville. He co-developed the Hend-Co Hills Golf Course. He gave many years of service on the Biggsville Village Board and was a long time member of the NRA, Lions Club, American Legion and Gold Circle Member of the Veterans Of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include one daughter, Terry (Arthur) Bourne of Gulf Shores, AL, one son, Steve (Sherri) Brokaw of Biggsville, five grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, two sisters, Lois Campbell of Stronghurst, Lillian Bray of LaHarpe, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two brothers, James and John in 2012, and one granddaughter in 1979.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday June 10, 2015 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. Burial, with military rites, will follow in the Raritan Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Beacon Of Hope Hospice and Shriners Children’s Hospital. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.