John B. "Jack" Hall

Born February 1, 1935 in Lincoln to Benjamin Henry and E. Ferne (Carlson) Hall, he married Margarete Glatzel on June 27, 1958 in Berlin, Germany. She survives of Pekin.

Also surviving are two children, Judy Gordon of Pekin and Dr. Charles Christopher “Chuck” (Mirko Crljen-Hall) Hall of Munich, Germany; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Daryl) Selock of Elk Grove Village and Matt (Carrie) King of Farmington; four great-grandchildren, Owen Selock, Nolan Selock, Emery King and Elliott King; one sister, Barb (Duane) Hill of Pekin and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son-in-law, L. Ray Gordon.

Jack was a 1953 graduate of Pekin Community High School and graduated later from Bradley University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He also attended the University of Illinois and the University of Maryland. He was a member of Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity.

Jack retired after a rewarding 40-year career at Caterpillar, Inc. on June 1, 1999 as Human Resource Systems Supervisor and Payroll Consultant.

A member of American Federation of Musicians Local 301, Jack was a member of the Pekin Municipal Band for more than 60 years and had formerly served as chairman of the band board. He played in the University Illinois bands, served in the United States Army as a musician in the Fifth Army Band, and then the 298th Army Band in Berlin, Germany. He also worked with many bands and orchestras in Illinois and several other states. Jack was a member of the Mohammed Shrine Brass Band since 1959, and was a former director of the Shrine German Band. Jack and his wife are longtime members of the Greater Peoria Rose Society and the German American Society (DANK). Jack and Margarete enjoyed many trips back to her native Germany.

Jack was a life member of Empire Lodge 126, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in Pekin. He served as Past Master of Pekin Lodge #29 and was a past presiding officer of all of the York Rite bodies and of the Lodge of Perfection and Consistory in the Scottish Rite. He also was past Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois. Jack was honored with the Order of the Purple Cross in 1978 from the York Rite College. He was awarded the DeMolay Active Legion of Honor in 1982 and Coroneted a Thirty-third Degree Mason in 1990. He held honorary memberships in Illinois, other states, Canada and Germany. His father, Benjamin, was a Past Grand High Priest, and Jack was always proud to wear his father’s apron. Jack also was a member of Mystic Tie Chapter 245 of the Order of the Eastern Star in Tremont; Illinois Priory #11, Knights of the York Cross of Honour; Lily of the Valley Tabernacle XLVI, Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests; and Order of the Amaranth in Springfield.

He was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where he was a faithful member of the Sanctuary Choir and the longtime coordinator of the Brass ensemble. He also served the church as Lay Leader, Adult Sunday School Coordinator, past chairman of the Memorial Committee and as past chairman of the Council on Ministries.

On June 2, 2022 Jack was delighted to participate in the Greater Peoria Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his grandson, Matt King.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, January 6, 2023 at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. Pastor Eric N. Swanson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, with Masonic rites held at 6 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 601 North 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Royal Arch Masonic Charitable Fund, c/o Bloomington Consistory, P.O. Box 3695, Bloomington, IL 61702-3695.

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