Harold J. "Jack" Hoskins Jr.

Harold J. “Jack” Hoskins, 87, of Springfield passed away November 20, 2013 at St. John’s Hospital. Jack was born on May 21, 1926 in Cleveland Ohio, the son of Harold and Sara Hoskins. The family moved to Scarsdale, NY., where Jack graduated from high school.

Jack joined the Naval Air Force and served in the Pacific. After his discharge he graduated from Brown University where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

On May 15, 1954 he married Bonnie Johnson and she survives. Besides his wife Bonnie, he is survived by his daughter, Tracy (Steven) Starwalt and his son Jay (Rhonda) Hoskins, both of Sherman. He is also survived by his grandchildren Bridgette and Sabrina Starwalt, and Amber and Morgan Hoskins, two step grandchildren Andrea and Jacob, and one great granddaughter Lilly Ann. He was preceded in death by his parents and his only brother Roy.

Jack came to Springfield in 1953 from NBC in New York to help build and put WICS Channel 20 on the air. He stayed at WICS as program manager for over 20 years. Jack also put WFMB on the air in 1965. Mr. Hoskins was on the Chatham-Glenwood school board where he served president for several years in the 1970’s and he was also president of the Goodwill Board. After retirement he worked part time at Menard’s in the building department, and also started and operated The Craft Shop in Chatham for several years. Jack had many hobbies such as ceramics, artwork including both canvases and saw blades, building furniture, and growing hybrid roses. He loved Siamese cats and had several of them over the years. He also played a lot of golf and was called “Jack of all trades” by those who knew him.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Friday November 22, 2013 at Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 East Allen Street. The family will meet friends from 10:00am until the time of service Friday at the funeral home. A private burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery in rural Chandlerville. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. John’s Hospice or the Animal Protective League and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.