MSGT. (Retired) John "Jack" E. Underwood

He was born on April 29, 1940, in Springfield, the son of John E. and Eileen (Shaughnessy) Underwood. Jack married Karen Craig on August 19, 1961, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She preceded him in death, on December 21, 2011.

Jack graduated from Cathedral Boys High School in 1958 and attended Springfield College. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. While with the Air Force, Jack was at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, where he served as a missile cop during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After serving four years of active duty with the Air Force, Jack continued on with his military career with the Illinois Air National Guard at the 183rd fighter wing in Springfield where he worked as a federal technician, and was the superintendent of security police for most of his time while at the 183rd. He retired from the Air Force in 1990 with the rank of Master Sergeant.

After retirement, Jack went on to work as a building manager with the Office of the Attorney General of Illinois. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and later Church of the Little Flower; the Postal Club with his wife; and Springfield’s American Legion Lodge 32. Jack was president of the Residents Council at The Villas. He was interested in anything relating to World War II, passionate about current events in the country, and very interested in extra-terrestrial and paranormal activity. Jack’s biggest passions were refereeing high school football for the IHSA for over thirty years, and being an avid SHG football fan. Jack was patriotic, politically passionate, humorous, sarcastically quick-witted, compassionate, benevolent, and photogenic. His relationships with God, his family, other people, and fellow co-workers at the 183rd Air Force base meant the world to him. Most of all, he enjoyed spending as much time as he could with his confidant and memoir scribe - his granddaughter, Teresa Tran.

In addition to his wife, Karen, Jack was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Michael Underwood.

He is survived by his children, Steve (Rose) Underwood of New Berlin, and Mark (Melissa) Underwood, Pam Brodt, Brian (Ashley) Johnson, and Dieu (Tinh) Luu, all of Springfield; grandchildren, Zachary Underwood, Samantha Underwood, Lauren Underwood, Tyler Underwood, Teresa Tran, Emily Brodt, Nicholas Underwood, Jacob Brodt, Isabel Brodt, and Thomas Brodt; brother, Richard (Sandy) Underwood of Springfield; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation and Mass: Family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Adlai Stevenson Dr., Springfield, IL, followed by Mass at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: American Legion Post 32.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.