CLINTON — Gene Jackson, 78, of Clinton, passed away on Sat., February 3, 2018, at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, Peoria.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, at Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bloomington.  Burial will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Kenney.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, OSF Hospice House or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Gene was born on August 16, 1939, in Mattoon, Ill., the eldest son of Merrill and Ruth Jackson.  He married Bertha Willner and had four children, Janet (Ron) Mau, Gene (Barbara) Jackson, Jerry (Candy) Jackson and Rusty Jackson.

He later married Betty Hankins, who had two sons, David (Kathy) Hankins, and Mike (Michelle) Hankins.

Gene later married Barbara Dixon, who had one son, Eric (Heather) Bean.

Gene was the owner of Produce-a-Plenty, Jackson’s Farm Fresh Produce and Jackson’s Car Barn, all located in Bloomington. 

He is survived by his brothers, the Rev. Lee (Georgia) Jackson, Wayne (Theresa) Jackson, four children, three stepsons, three former wives, 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

His parents and sister preceded him in death.