Jack Dean Drum

Born October 28, 1933 in Wolf Lake to Clark and Mary Estell (Whitesides) Drum, he married Jeanetta Mae McClure on October 19, 1956 in Anna.

Surviving are his wife of 68 years; two sons, Nick (Jacinda) Drum of Rochester and Jeff (Kimberly) Drum of Creve Coeur; nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson; six brothers, Robert, Earl, Harold, Cecil, Tom Drum and one in childhood and four sisters, Eloise Campbell, Ruth Jackson and two in childhood.

Jack was a crew chief helicopter mechanic for the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, serving from 1953 to 1960.

He had worked as an air traffic controller in St. Louis Center and Atlanta Center for the F.A.A for three and half years. He later worked at Caterpillar, Inc. at the Peoria Proving Grounds as a research inspector for 30 years before retiring August 1, 1993.

An avid pool player, Jack played in the Monday and Thursday afternoon leagues at Fon du Lac Park District for many years. He was also a car enthusiast and had knack for anything mechanical. He was hardworking and had all the answers.

Jack was the founder of the Maze Alumni website www.stopafib.org/patient-stories/jack-drum/ for Atrial Fibrillation Information in 2000.

He was a former longtime member of Creve Coeur Southern Baptist Church, where he had served as a trustee. He is a current member of Twin Oaks Missionary Baptist Church in East Peoria.

His funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur. Pastor Richard Morris will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the United States Army. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to Twin Oaks Missionary Baptist Church, 210 Hemlock Avenue, East Peoria, Illinois 61611.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com