Jack Elam
Edwardsville |
Jack L. Elam, age 89, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.
Jack was born on May 28, 1935, in Greenville, IL, the son of the late Clarence E. and Alma (Blankenship) Elam.
Jack married Valeria Pownall on September 2, 1956, and she preceded him in death on October 14, 1996. Jack then married Connie Jo Jelinek in 2004, and she preceded him in death on April 17, 2019.
Jack is survived by his three children, Kristy Lindberg & husband Keith, of Edwardsville, IL, Randy Elam, of Godfrey, IL, and Karma Elam, of Edwardsville, IL; three grandchildren, Mathew Elam, of Ewa Beach, HI, Chris Elam & wife Jessica, of Godfrey, IL, Laura Hagin & husband Chris, of Papillion, NE; and eight great grandchildren, Oliver, Adeline, Benjamin, Amelia, & Everly Elam, Eli, Malachi, & Madeline Hagin.
Besides his parents and spouses, Jack was preceded in death by a daughter in law, Susan Elam.
Jack graduated from Greenville High School in 1953. He then furthered his education, obtaining a degree in mathematics from Greenville College in 1957. Jack earned his master’s from the University of Missouri in 1962.
Jack started his teaching career in Arthur, IL, at Arthur High School and after 3 years, moved to Ela Vernon High School in Lake Zurich, IL. In 1961, Jack took a job at Edwardsville High School where he would spend the next 33 years until his retirement in 1994.
For his entire 33 years at EHS, Jack was the Math Department Chair and the Math Team Coach. He also was the very first computer programming teacher at EHS. Jack taught night classes for SIUE and Lewis and Clark. He also taught GED classes, which he found to be very rewarding.
Jack was a board member for Dunlap Lake where he enjoyed boating and fishing. Jack also loved to travel and work in his garden. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Edwardsville where he enjoyed volunteering for many years.
Jack loved his family very much and loved spending time with all of them, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Edwardsville with Rev. Drew Patton presiding. A private family interment will be at Valley View Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials to First Baptist Church in Edwardsville. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com
Weber & Rodney Funeral Home
