HENRY ALBERT JECKSTADT JR

Henry Albert Jeckstadt Jr., 86, of Isabella, MO passed away on December 19, 2013 at the Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, AR. He was born on June 18, 1927 in Collinsville, IL, the son of Henry A. and Lydia (Mayer) Jeckstadt.

Henry was a Veteran, having proudly served his country in the United States Army, post World War II and pre Korean Conflict. While enlisted, Henry was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal Japan, and the World War II Victory Medal. After his military service, he came back to Collinsville and was united in marriage to Doris Hightower in 1948. To this union four sons were born. Henry owned and operated Jeckstadt Cities Service, which then became Citgo, and later Gulf, an auto repair and service station. After many years in business, he decided a change of pace was in order, so he sold his business and moved to Missouri.

In 1975, Henry bought a piece of ground in Sycamore, MO, where he built Hi-Lo Campground and Float Resort. He retired in 1989, but continued to work part time jobs at different Gainesville businesses to keep busy. Henry was a very creative and skillful man. He even held a patent on the "Mr. Hank", a fuel pump removal tool for Chevrolet engines that was marketed through J.C. Whitney & Co., a wholesale catalog company in Chicago, IL. Henry loved the outdoors, a trait he passed on to his boys. He loved to camp, fish or hunt, any reason to be outside and enjoy nature. But most of all, Henry loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who instilled a solid work ethic in his sons, and always provided for his family. He was loved and will be greatly missed by all.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Doris; an infant brother; one brother-in-law Quentin "Snuffy" Hightower and one grandson Jason Jeckstadt. He is survived by his four sons Ron Jeckstadt and wife Vickie of Highland, IL, Rich Jeckstadt and wife Kathi of Caseyville, IL, Roger Jeckstadt and wife Debbie of Gainesville, MO and Rob Jeckstadt of Gainesville, MO; nine grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren, and one more due in January; one step brother John Straubinger of Granite City, IL; one sister-in-law Vi Hightower of Edwardsville, IL; and numerous cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2013 in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel in Gainesville, MO. Visitation will be Saturday from Noon to service time. Burial will be in the Isabella Cemetery. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Isabella Cemetery or to the giver's choice of charity.