Notes:
Jerome B. "Jerry" Jansen, 77, of Breese, Ill., born in Summerfield, Ill., died Friday, May 1, 2015, at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese, Ill.
Jerry retired from Scott Air Force Base as a budget analyst and the "Hayride" deejay for WGEL Radio in Greenville. Jerry and his wife Martha brought joy to many children's Christmas as Santa and Mrs. Claus. He had a special love for his children and grandchildren. He was an avid Cardinals baseball fan and he enjoyed golf, playing cards and the outdoors.
He was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church and Men's Sodality in Breese, honorary life member of the Bishop Althoff 4th degree Assembly, Knights of Columbus Council 2869 and served as past grand knight and Bingo Chairman for 28 years. Charter and past president of the Breese Jaycee's, founding member of the Bent Oak Golf Course, Mater Dei Fathers and Friend Club, St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary and a crossing guard for All Saints Academy.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, nee Mumma, Jansen, whom he married on July 4, 1959, at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Breese, Ill., and who passed away March 25, 2015; his parents, Leo and Marie, nee Eilers, Jansen; a brother Wilbert "Butch" Jansen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Ruth, nee King, Mumma Sr.; sister-in-law, Millie Jansen; and brothers-in-law, Paul Kuper, Robert Mumma Jr., Brad Bennett.
Surviving are his children, Kenny Jansen of Breese, Diane (Paul) Antonacci of Breese, Julie (Eric) Henry of York Haven, Pa., Barb (Ric) Koopmann of Breese; seven grandchildren, Mary (Phillip) Hilmes, Michael Antonacci, John (Amanda) Antonacci, Thomas Antonacci, David Henry, Sarah Koopmann, Alex Koopmann; four great-grandchildren, Katherine, Sarah, Madison, Caroline and anxiously awaiting the arrival of his fifth great grandchild; a brother, Gene Jansen of Breese; a sister, Lue (Virgil) Flenniken of Breese; and sisters-in-law, Jane Jansen of Breese, Harriet (Marlin) Leicht of York, Pa., Dee Bennett of Dover, Pa., Mildred Brenizer of York, Pa.
Memorials can be made to Community Link, Mater Dei High School or All Saints Academy and will be received at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to www.mossfuneralhome.com
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2015, and 8 to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Moss Funeral Home, Breese, Ill. Breese Knights of Columbus will hold services at 7 p.m. Tuesday May 5, followed by Bishop Althoff 4th Degree services at the funeral home.
Funeral: Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Father Patrick Peter officiating. Interment St. Dominic - St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese.
[Published in Belleville News-Democrat on May 3, 2015]