Jeffrey Alan Jacobson

Jeffrey Alan Jacobson, formerly of Cornell, IL, died on Friday, January 29, 2016 at his home in Winston-Salem, NC after a 13 month battle with brain cancer. Jeff was born on May 3, 1969, in Pontiac, Illinois to John T. and Frances Sue ""Susie"" (Merchant) Jacobson. In 1987, he was the valedictorian of the final graduating class of Cornell High School where he also ran track and cross country. Jeff attended the University of Michigan before enlisting in the Army in 1992. He was the distinguished honor graduate of his class at the Army Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic School in Fort Jackson, SC, and served for 2 years as a mechanic in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC. Jeff then went on to serve in the Army National Guard for the next 10 years. While on active duty in Oklahoma, Jeff met and married his wife of 11 years, Karen Werber Jacobson. In 2005, they moved to Pontiac, IL, where their children, Sarah and Jack were born. Jeff began his engineering career with Weber Metals in Chenoa, IL and then later went to work for Caterpillar in Joliet, IL. During this time, Jeff continued his education at Eureka College from 2007-2009. Two years later, Jeff served as a project manager helping to build Caterpillar's new plant in Winston Salem, NC, where he moved with his family. Prior to leaving Illinois, Jeff was a member of First Lutheran Church in Pontiac, IL and then later joined Clemmons Presbyterian Church in Clemmons, NC. He will be remembered for his kindness to everyone he met, his sense of humor and his dedication to doing what was right, not what was easy. He was a devoted husband and father and a dedicated son, brother and friend. Survivors include his wife, Karen, and their two children, Sarah and Jack, of Winston Salem; his parents: J.T. and Susie Jacobson of Pontiac, IL; his siblings: John D. Jacobson (Mary Beth) of Milwaukee, WI; Jill Jacobson (Paul Eves) of Kingston, Ontario; and Jason Jacobson of Pontiac, IL. Funeral services will be held at Clemmons Presbyterian Church on Friday, February 5th at 2:00 with a memorial service in Pontiac, IL, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Winston Salem.

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