Harlan E Jacobson

Harlan E. “Jake” Jacobson, 92, of Roseville, IL, died at 11:46 am, Monday, September 13, 2021 at Bickford of Macomb, Macomb, IL.

He was born August 3, 1929 in Craig, NE to Herman and Anna (Andersen) Jacobson. Jake was raised and educated in Nebraska and graduated from Uehling Nebraska High School in 1946.

In 1951 Jake received an “invitation” from Uncle Sam to visit the front lines of Korea. While serving at the “Iron Triangle” and the historic “Pork Chop Hill”, the position of Headquarters Company Clerk became vacant. Thanks to the typing class taken at Uehling High, he volunteered and qualified for the job. This probably saved his life, as a majority of his company was either wounded or killed in action.

Following service, Jake enrolled in business-telegraphy school in Pueblo, CO, and then moved to Freeport, IL, as a telegraph-teletype operator for the Illinois Central Railroad until 1961. He then went back to work for Uncle Sam as Area Supervisor with the Selective Service System until 1976.

Jake met Barbara (Adkisson) Mills in Illinois and the two were married at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, IA, on November 18, 1967 and she survives.

On the family farm, Jake and Barbara had two sons, Jonathan and Matthew who joined Barbara’s children Denise, Douglas and Marianne. Jake was active in hand corn picking in the state and national contests held at the family farm; winning a number of state contests as well and 2nd and 3rd place at the national level.

Jake was a member of the Illinois Farm Bureau, American Legion Post 614 in Roseville, IL, Veterans of Foreign Wars Macomb Post 1921. He was a member of the Telegraph Operators Organization of Galesburg and he was member and attended Wesley United Methodist Church in Macomb, IL. In June 2015, he was awarded with an honor flight as a Korean War Veteran to Washington, DC.

Jake is survived by his wife, Barbara Jacobson of Roseville, IL; his children, Jonathan (Sheila) Jacobson of Carson City, NV, Matthew (Shelli Stuart) Jacobson of Macomb, IL, Denise (Stephen) Mumma of Door Co, WI, Douglas Mills of Roswell, Ga and Marianne Mills of Douglasville, GA; his grandchildren, Nicole, Emily, Ian, Jacob, Ryne & Brooke; as well as many other relatives in Nebraska.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Merlyn Jacobson, and one sister, Arlys Forsberg.

Open calling hours for Jake will be from 5:00-7:00 pm Friday, September 17, 2021 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL.  The family will not be present at the calling hours.  A private family funeral service will be held with private interment service with Military Honors to take place at Memorial Park, Roseville.  Memorials may be given to the Illinois Cornhusking Association or Roseville American Legion Post 614 and sent to the funeral home. Due to Covid-19 Restrictions, all attendees are required to wear a mask and social distance.