Karl Jordan

Karl was born on August 26, 1939 in Litchfield, the son of Emmet and Marie Morrissey Jordan. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Francis Jordan, Earl Jordan, and Paul Jordan; his sisters, Maureen Jordan and Marilyn Jordan Beaumaster; sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Uhrig Jordan; brother-in-law, William “Bill” Whitworth; and great-nephew, Thomas Jordan.

He is survived by his sister, Kathleen Jordan Whitworth of Farmersville; his brother-in-law, James (Barbara) Beaumaster of Dublin, Ohio; and his sister-in-law, Neila Jordan (Jim Whalen) of Springfield. Also surviving are 10 nieces and nephews, 23 great-nieces and nephews, and 12 great-great-nieces and nephews.

Karl graduated from St. Isidore Grade school, Farmersville High School, and Saint Louis University with a bachelor’s degree. Karl taught for two years at Nokomis High School before seeking his master’s degree at the University of Illinois. In 1966, he continued his career at Pekin Community High School, retiring in 2004, after 38 years teaching his favorite subject, social studies.

Karl was first appointed and then elected to two terms as Supervisor of Cincinnati Township (Tazewell County). He was appointed to the Housing Authority of the City of Pekin in 1985 and his appointments continued until his relocation to Springfield in 2022. For many of those years, he served as Chairman of the Housing Authority. In 2022, at an open house in his honor in Pekin, he was awarded a plaque from the Housing Authority in recognition of his 37 years of service.

Karl is remembered fondly by his family and friends for his kindness and generosity, particularly by his 10 nieces and nephews, whom he treated as his own. Karl collected Waterford Irish Crystal and passed the tradition on to his nieces and nephews. He also collected coins, marbles, and Farmall toy tractors, reminiscent of his days growing up on the family farm in Farmersville. Karl was an avid reader, scouring the newspaper each day and reading history novels. Karl enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals (maybe not this year) and the Fighting Illini basketball and football teams. He could really talk sports with you! Actually, Karl loved all sporting events! For many years, he volunteered to keep time for high school track meets, sold tickets at basketball tournaments, and traveled near and far to attend family sporting events. Family and friends who may have made the local paper for any type of achievement, sports, academic or other, would receive a letter in the U.S. mail, with the newspaper clipping, along with a typewritten congratulatory note from “Uncle Karl”.

In traditional Karl fashion, his family received a typewritten summary of his final wishes, detailed from A to Z. In the final sentence, Karl wanted his family to express his thanks to others who took care of him, befriended him, and came to visit him, especially those that traveled from Pekin to Springfield to see him in his final years and months. His family appreciates all his friends and neighbors in Pekin who were a part of Karl’s life and his second home!

His visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023, at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Attendees are encouraged to wear Fighting Illini orange and blue to the visitation. It is after all, the day of the Annual Braggin’ Rights game vs. Mizzou that Karl always attended. On Saturday, December 23, 2023, a visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 310 Nobbe Street in Farmersville. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. with Father Florent Kanga, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Maurice Cemetery in Morrisonville. If you are unable to attend services, Karl requested that “at some time or some place, that you attend your local mass and pray for his soul”.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Farmersville-Waggoner Public Library or Pekin Public Library. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local blood bank, as Karl did most of his life.