Joseph Edward Jenkins

Joseph Edward "Jenks" Jenkins, 73, of Pawnee, died at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, October 16, 2017 at his residence. Ed was born November 22, 1943 in Springfield, the son of Ray and Frances Boarman Jenkins. He married Dixie Dunbar in October of 1988 in Pawnee. Ed graduated from Pawnee High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies from the University of Illinois. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. As a young man, Ed worked at Fiat Allis, and then began working at Commonwealth Edison after returning from Vietnam. He was employed there until 1995, retiring after twenty-seven years of service. He was the original owner of Cycle Concepts in Springfield. Ed also worked for Neihaus Cycles in Litchfield assembling motorcycles and really enjoyed visiting with his many friends there. He was a member of Springfield Milers BMW Club, Sangamon Riders, American Legion Post #905, BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, Mustang Owners of America, and was a life member of the American Motorcyclist Association and AMVETS. Ed was an avid motorcyclist, motorcycling in all 50 states, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Lichtenstein, France, and four Canadian provinces. He participated in Iron Butt events and has ridden almost one million miles in his lifetime. Ed loved to watch his grandkids play sports. He was one of their biggest fans. Ed also enjoyed his winters in Florida with Dixie putting many miles on his motorcycle with their many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Douglas Jenkins. He is survived by his wife, Dixie Jenkins of Pawnee; daughter Gina (husband, Steve) Merano of Kincaid; son, David (wife, Shelly) Cappellin of Taylorville; five grandchildren, Vincent, Madison, and Lauren Merano, all of Kincaid and Kent Girard and Carter Cappellin, both of Taylorville; eight siblings, Kathryn "Elaine" Webster of Coventry, RI; Lucille "Ludy" (husband, Kent) Ayers of Pekin; Norma "Eileen" (husband, Bernard) Devlin of Ashland; Rita Davis of Durango, CO; Kenny (wife, V.J.) Jenkins of Hennepin; Kay (husband, Rich) Piatchek of Tinley Park; Don Jenkins of Johnston City; and Mary Beth "Rose" Gorney of Pawnee; brother-in-law, Curt (wife, Sigrid) Dunbar of Wake Forest, NC; three aunts; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20, 2017 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Per the request of Ed and his family, please dress casually or wear your favorite bike shirt. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center following the visitation. Memorial Ceremony: 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Pawnee with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorial contributions may be made to: Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL, 62703.