Arthur C. Jacobs, age 81 of Freeport, IL, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Manor Court in Freeport, IL. He was born October 25, 1935; the son of the late William and Marie (Meier) Jacobs. He started his education in a one room school house at Bell School near Ridott, Illinois. He graduated from Shannon High School in 1953. He then attended Northern Illinois University and received a BS and an MBA. He served in the United States Army as a radio operator, stationed in Germany from 1956 to 1957. Arthur married Carol Plumley on July 22, 1962.
He started his teaching career in Orangeville, IL and also taught for the Freeport School District and at Highland Community College. Along with teaching, he also sold real estate for Siedenburg Realty. He was a member of First UMC in Freeport and enjoyed serving his church, serving on many boards and committees. His memberships also include the National and Illinois Education Associations and he was a former president of the Freeport Education Association. He was a member of the Stephenson County 708 Board and held leadership roles in the Association for the Handicapped, now known as Malcolm Eaton Enterprises. Arthur enjoyed taking his family on many vacations.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Jacobs of Freeport; sons, Kevin (JoAnn) Jacobs of Luana, IA and William (Tina Bastian) Jacobs of Oregon, WI; grandchildren, Benjamin, Joshua, Nicholas, Samuel, Isaac, Elliot, Leo and Beau; siblings, August Jacobs of Pearl City, IL, Wilmer (Dianne) Jacobs of Shannon, IL, Martha Jacobs of Eleroy, IL, Roger (Phyllis) Jacobs of Pearl City, Earl (Chris) Jacobs of FL, Kenneth (Barbara) of McConnell, IL and Shirley (Scott) Deininger of NC; brother-in-law, Al (Bette) Plumley of Indiana; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William & Marie Jacobs and parents-in-law Russell & Bernice Plumley; grandson, Zandyr Jacobs; nephews, Dean and Tracy Jacobs; sister-in-law Nancy Jacobs and brothers-in-law, Donald and Larry Plumley.
A visitation will be held Friday, May 12th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Walker Mortuary in Freeport. The funeral service will be Saturday, May 13th at 2:00 pm at First UMC in Freeport; Rev. Calvin B. Haines Jr. presiding. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. A memorial fund has been established in his name