| REV. ROBERT F. JACOBS |
| Rev. Robert F. Jacobs, 78, of 3030 Kingsridge, retired Pastor Emeritus of Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ,
died at 3:15 p.m. Thursday (May 10, 2001) in Medical College of Ohio Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. Born February 14, 1923 in Basco, IL., he was a son of Samuel and Olga Satory Jacobs. He married Mary Caroline von Kaenel on June 22, 1947 in St. Joseph, Missouri. She survives. Rev. Jacobs graduated from Warsaw High School, attended Carthage College and graduated from Elmhurst College and Eden Seminary. In 1947 he was Ordained into the Ministry at the Bethlehem United Church of Christ at Sutter, IL. From 1947 until 1953 He served at St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Manly, Iowa and from 1953 to 1962 He headed the Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church in Elkader, Iowa and was Pastor at Zion United Church of Christ in Hubbard, Iowa from 1962 to 1972. He was called to be Senior Pastor at Salem Evangelical United church of Christ in Quincy in 1972 and retired in 1988 after 16 years. In his Ministry at Salem, Rev. Jacobs oversaw major building repairs and renovation to the Historic Church Structure, highlighted by the straightening of the steeple. His skill as a wood worker is a visible legacy at Salem Today. He made the Church Sign outside at the south west corner of the church. He developed the Team Ministries, reactivated the Undershepherds' Program and added a Youth-Young Adult Staff Member. In his retirement, Rev. Jacobs continued to serve Salem in many ways. He was active in Brotherhood, Salem Couples Club and the Salem Choristers. He and his wife Caroline served as Undershepherds, Hospital Visitors and served on the steering committee of Salem's 150th Anniversary Celebration and Co-Hosted a Heritage Tour to Europe in 1997. Professionally, Rev. Jacobs served on many United Church of Christ National Conference and Association Boards and Committees. He was elected to the United Church board for Homeland Ministries, Chaired the Personnel Committee, participated on the Conference Restructure Committee, and served on the Conference Evangelism Committee and the Association Church Ministry Committee. He also Acted as Dean of the Quincy Area Mission Council. In January of 1973, He was one of the first ministers to become active in the volunteer Chaplaincy Program at Blessing Hospital and had remained active in that capacity. Rev. Jacobs was a man of strong convictions and political beliefs. He participated in many social actions of the time including the Civil Rights movement and the protesting of the Vietnam War. In 1997, he observed the 50th Anniversary of his ordination. He conducted more than 500 weddings, 800 funerals, 600 baptisms and confirmed more than 750 youth. An Honorary Doctorate Degree was conferred on him by Eden Seminary in 1986. Also surviving is one son, Michael Jacobs and his wife Linda of Mequon, WI.; two daughters, Donna Olsen and her husband Dr. Mark of Bayside, WI., and Denise Martin and her husband David of Hubbard, IA.; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Braun and her husband Jens of Dallas, TX., Jason Martin and his wife Sara of Hubbard, IA., Kelly and Matthew Jacobs both of Mequon, WI., and Morgan, Dane, Elijah, and Sanya Olsen, all of Bayside, WI.; one great grandson, Jacob Martin of Hubbard, IA.; and four sisters, Awanda Koehler and Lorine Myersick and her husband Ralph, both of Basco, Vera Royce of Nauvoo, and Zella Wollbrink of Quincy. Memorials services will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ with the Stephen Schuette officiating. Private inurnment will be held in the Bethlehem United Church of Christ Cemetery in Sutter. Memorials may be made to the Salem Heritage Fund or to the Quincy Chapter of the Parkinson's Support Group. |