Gary Willard Jackson, 89, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home. In accordance with his wishes the casket will remain closed at all times. Private family services will be held.
Gary was born on December 30, 1933, in Princeville, Illinois, the son of Willard and Naomi (Herrmann) Jackson. He graduated from Toulon High School in Illinois. Gary entered into the United States Army where he proudly served our country and was honorably discharged.
Gary married Betty Louise Ankrom on November 23, 1957, in Jacksonville, Illinois; three children were born to this union. The couple moved to the Manchester area where they raised their family. Gary entered into a long-time partnership with his brother-in-law Charlie Ankrom. He and Charlie spent most of their lives working on the farms doing tillage, mowing ditches and, and harvesting crops in the fall. Gary and Charlie were good stewards of the land, making sure that the farms would be there for the next generations. Gary passed away four years to the day that Charlie had passed. He served on the Good Neighbor Home and Oakland Cemetery Boards, was a 4-H leader, involved with FFA and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed mowing and always kept his lawn immaculate, traveling the countryside and loved spending time with his family. Gary will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Gary is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Jackson; children, Melanie (Dennis) of Riverdale, Iowa, Pam (Larry) Murley of Aurora, Iowa, Gary (Roxie) Jackson of Manchester, Iowa; grandchildren, Nick (Erica) Glew, Abby (Paul) Hovey, Melissa (Ed) Ludt, Kelly (Markie) Murley, Mark (Christa) Murley, Jeremy (Gina) Jackson, Jennifer (Christopher) Clayton, Tyler (Mindi) Jackson, Wesley (Aubrey) Jackson; and 29 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Naomi Jackson; sister, Gladys Webster; and greatgranddaughter, Hope Rose Jackson.
Memorials in memory of Gary may be directed to the Presbyterian Church, Good Neighbor Society and Care Initiatives Hospice all of Manchester.
Please share a memory of Gary at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
