Jewel Alvin Jenne (86) of Carlyle, formerly of Altamont

Jewel Alvin Jenne, age 86 of Carlyle and formerly of Altamont, passed away Tuesday September 20, 2016 at Highland Health and Care Center.

A funeral service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church in Carlyle at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 24, 2016, with Rev. Leonard Laetsch, officiating.  Interment will follow at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery near Carlyle.  Visitation will be held on Friday, September 23, from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Zieren Funeral Home in Carlyle and on Saturday, September 24, from 9:00 – 10:00 A.M. at Messiah Lutheran Church. The family suggests memorial donations to St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, and they will be received at Zieren Funeral Home.

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Jewel was born on January 26, 1930 in Wheatfield Township, Carlyle, Illinois, to William and Adele (Hildebrandt) Jenne. Jewel was confirmed at Messiah Lutheran Church in 1944. He attended elementary school at the Jenne Schoolhouse located on Jenne Road. Jewel graduated from Breese High School in 1948 and was involved in agriculture all his life.  He began as FFA Youth Ag Adviser for Clinton County when he was 18 years old.  He attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a master’s degree in education. Jewel married Geraldine Stilt on August 24, 1952 at Immanuel Evangelical Church in Carlyle, IL.  He taught high school biology and agriculture at Newman High School for two years and Altamont High School for six years.  Jewel later worked as a salesman for A.O. Smith Harvestore for twenty years.  In 1984, Jewel retired from sales and returned to farming.  He continued to farm until his health declined in the spring of 2015. Jewel co-authored the book “Ideas for Farm Mechanics Projects and Activities”. Jewel was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altamont, IL where he served as Sunday school superintendent and teacher. He later became a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Highland, IL.  He had served on the boards of the Clinton County Electric Cooperative and St. Peter Lutheran Church.  

Jewel is survived by his children Janet Heischmidt and husband Paul of Alton, James Jenne of Carlyle, Jon Jenne and wife Tanna of Effingham, and Jill Boone and husband Erwin of Edgewood; 10 grandchildren, Adara Jenne, Kirk Heischmidt, Amber Hankins and husband Derek, Eric Heischmidt and wife Audrey, Ashley Tieffel and husband Ryan, Bradley Boone and wife Deana, Rebecca Boone, Amanda Mason and husband Derek, Zachary Heischmidt and wife Caty, and Ryan Heischmidt; and 12 great grandchildren -- Jaiden and Camdyn Tappendorf, Kennedy, Kinsley, and Kohen Tieffel, Eli, Eero, and Owen Heischmidt, Aaron Boone, Ariana and Myla Trinkle, and Avery Hankins.  He is also survived by a sister, Betty Greenwood and husband Eldon of Chatham; a brother-in-law, Ron Stilt and wife Bev of Greenville; many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Adele Jenne; his wife, Geraldine Jenne in 1981; 2 grandchildren, Maci Heischmidt and Baby Boone; his brothers, Harold and wife Selma (Rothe) Jenne , Laverne and wife Martha (Balster)Jenne ; his sisters , Marcella Griewe and husband Herbert, Velma Wiese and husband Lester, and Loretta Jenne; his mother-and father-in-law, Frederick Sr. and Marcella (Pausch) Stilt; his in-laws, and Frederick Jr. and Carolyn(Eller) Stilt.