Jacob Jack Klay (91) of Effingham

Jacob Jack Klay, 91, of Effingham, IL, passed away Monday, September 23, 2019, at Brookstone Suites in Effingham, surrounded by his children.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 27 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Eagle Nest Preschool Program. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Jack was born on April 2, 1928, in Pana, IL, the son of Jacob John and Thelma (Gaines) Klay. He was united in marriage to Joan Edwards on September 9, 1951, in Pana, IL, and she preceded him in death on January 26, 2014.

Jack was a veteran of the United States Navy and served his country during WW II. He was a civil engineer for IDOT in Effingham. Jack was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, a Sunday School teacher, and an Elder. He served on the Effingham Unit 40 School Board and the Effingham County Board of Assessors. Jack enjoyed living in the country, mushroom hunting, catfishing, and spending time in nature with his kids and grandkids. He also loved to sing. Jack was a generous and humble man. He was a devout Christian who loved to tell the story of his Lord and Savior. He considered himself blessed and rich by God’s grace.

Jack is survived by his children, Karen S. (Mark) Flach of Effingham, Karla (Robert) Flach of Effingham, and Eric (Jeanetta) Klay of Dieterich; 8 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan; brothers, Edward Klay and Lester Klay; and great-grandson, Austin Flach.