Steven Jaco Obituary

Steven Michael Jaco, 63, and Jerle Lynn Jaco, 62, of Woodridge, Illinois died together Wednesday, July 28 2010. They passed away in an automobile accident while vacationing in Holland, Michigan. Steve was the son of Violet Clemons and Melvin Jaco, born on February 19, 1947 in Iowa City, Iowa. Jerle (Jeri) was the daughter of Frank and Juanita Seeks, born on January 14, 1948 in Davenport, Iowa. Steve received a BA as a double major in History and English with Honors from the University of Utah. Jeri attended the University of Iowa and then studied ballet at both the Ellis School of Dance in Chicago and the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music, and later earned her AA degree in Liberal Arts from College of DuPage. They were wed in the chapel of Wartburg College on March 23, 1968. As a young man, Steve was both a star athlete in track & field as well as cross country. He was also a top student in both high school and college. He was well known for his keen intellect and witty sense of humor, in addition to his honorable character. A penchant for leadership and hard work brought him into several management positions over his working career, most recently as a district sales manager for Performance Food Group. Steve served the community as a longtime board member and coach of Downers Grove Panther Youth Football. Jeri was attracted to dance since childhood, and grew to become a talented dancer through many years of training. She was loved by all for her kind, passionate and caring nature. After working as a secretary for the First United Methodist Church and then Duke Engineering, Jeri became a realtor at Coldwell Banker, Downers Grove. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove, where she had been director and choreographer of the Liturgical Dance group, chairperson of the Environmental Stewardship, chairperson of the Guatemala Mission Committee, member of the Counseling Center Board, the Book Talk reading group, the Task Force on Children and Poverty, and the Sarah Circle group. They are survived by their two sons, Ian Matthew and Jason Michael. Steve is survived by siblings John (Lorna) Jaconi, Christopher (Nicole) Recor, and Christine Clemons. Jeri is survived by siblings Judith (Charles) Lane, James (Rosalie) Seeks, and Janell (Marvin) Miller. Together Steve and Jeri are survived by twelve nephews and three nieces. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00am at the First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove on Wednesday, August 4, immediately followed by funeral service at 11am. The burial will be at Oak Crest Cemetery in Downers Grove.