John Christian Jacobs, son of Joseph Howard Jacobs, Sr., and Alfreda Eloise, nee Stoll, Jacobs, was born January 18, 1947 in East St. Louis, Ill. He passed away October 17, 2025 at home in O'Fallon, Illinois.

John grew up in East St. Louis and graduated from East St. Louis High School. He furthered his education at University of Illinois, majoring in Education; and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Master's degree in Counseling. John was a Drafting Technology Instructor and Program Coordinator at Southwestern Illinois College, in Belleville, Ill. He was a devoted husband, father and Papa J; he was very involved with the O'Fallon Boosters where he coached his children's teams. He loved watching his grandkids play sports and perform in theater. John was a Master Gardener and loved tending to his yard and maintaining his home in O'Fallon of 40+ years. Together with his wife, he enjoyed travelling, exploring, and cruising to the Caribbean.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Joseph H. Jacobs, Jr., and sister-in-law Tommie Stimac.

John is survived by his wife of 54 years Mary, nee Stimac, Jacobs of O'Fallon, Ill.; daughter Carrie Elizabeth (Donald) O'Keefe of Perryville, Mo.; son Christopher Joseph (Beth) Jacobs of Troy, Ill., grandchildren Troy and Colton O'Keefe, and Tyler and Avery Jacobs; siblings-in-law Linda Jacobs of Spring, Texas, Charles Stimac of Granite City, Ill., Alice (Patrick) Murphy of Penn., and Anthony (Nancy) Stimac of St. Jacob, Ill.; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 6-8 pm, Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill.  Private graveside service will be held at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, Ill.

Wolfersberger Funeral Home is serving the Jacobs family. Online condolences may be shared at www.wfh-ofallon.com. Memorial donations are suggested to Siteman Cancer Center.