Jackie Dean Stewart, 79, met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ face to face on April 29th, 2026. Jack was born to Clyde and Stella (Burzynski) Stewart in Herrin, IL. Jack was also lovingly known as Mad Dog, Papaw, Big Jack Cadillac, Smilin’ Jack, Pops, and Jack O’Lantern.
Jack was survived by the love of his life of almost 52 years, Kerrie (Lampley) Stewart. His girls and their spouses, Amanda, son in law, Jason Varner, and Ashley, son in law, Ryan Cross. Also surviving Jack are his grandchildren, his pride and joy, Ellington and Rayson Varner, and Jacksen, Laben, Aden, and Aaren Cross.
Jack loved Jesus, and Jack loved his family. Chances are, if you gave him a minute to talk, he’d first tell you about his Jesus, and then about his family, as he so often said, “I am a blessed man”, accompanied by his famous smile.
Jack became a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in 1979, and was ordained as a deacon there on June 11th, 1988. He served as Sunday School Director, Church Bus Driver, Youth Worker, on the Finance Committee, and any other role that needed to be filled, he did it! His most recent and most known role was as the weekly greeter on Sunday mornings. He welcomed everyone that walked through the doors!
Jack leaves behind siblings, Mary Lou Mandrell, Clyde (Bud) Stewart, Beverly Seddon, William Richard (Dick) Stewart, and Danny Jo Stewart, along with many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, double cousins, and all of those who loved him. They all knew he loved them too.
Jack worked at the Illinois Department of Transportation for 34 years. When he retired from the state, Jack tried his luck at real estate, where some could say he was mildly successful.
Other than his family and his church, Jack loved being generous and helping others. You could often find him visiting shut ins, calling widows to make sure they didn’t need anything, or just inviting others to church. You could also find him solving the worlds problems at the coffee shop with the Breakfast Bunch, humbly shooting par on the golf course any given weekday, watching the Benton Rangers, or working in his yard, however, his favorite thing to do was follow his grandkids to any sport they were in and cheer them on in his quiet, steady way.
The world is a little less bright without his generous heart and kind smile. We lost a good, good man.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, siblings James Robert (Bob) Stewart, and Joann Waggoner.
The family will hold visitation on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, at Immanuel Baptist Church, from 5-8 pm, and funeral services, officiated by Dr. Kirk Kay and Dr. Sammy Simmons on Sunday, May 3rd, promptly beginning at 1:30 pm, at the church . There will be no burial after the service.
Morton and Johnston have graciously handled the services for the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church or to NAMB Send Relief.
Speak Your Mind
You must be logged in to post a comment.