Jack Pinckert

Jack Monroe Pinckert, son of Clifton Pinckert and Alta Eskridge Pinckert, was born October 12, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana. Jack died December 17, 2018 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 87 years, 2 months and 5 days. Jack’s funeral was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 27, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson, Iowa. His pastor Rev. Gordon Moen officiated. The casket bearers were Greg Pierce, Lindsay Bledsoe, Matt Bledsoe, Wayne Lautner, Matt Pittman and Bill Monroe. Sheryl Sloan was the organist and played “His Eye is On the Sparrow” and “Blessed be the Tie that Binds.” Wayne Lautner played a song on the trumpet. Military Honors were by the Camp Dodge U.S. Army Detail, American Legion Post # 11 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 9599 at the Jefferson Cemetery. A lunch was held at the church before going to the cemetery.

Jack grew up with his brother, Orval and sister, Eleanor. He graduated high school in South Bend, Indiana in 1949. Jack worked for the Studebaker Company and attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana before being drafted into the U.S. Army where he served from 1952 to 1954. He proudly served with the 45th Division Artillery and for two years was stationed in Korea. Jack was united in marriage with MyraJane Marie Lea and over the course of the next seven years was blessed with four sons: Rick, Gary, Brian and Ken. 

Jack was a very intelligent man who had a deep thirst for knowledge. His life was centered on his family and his pursuit of higher education, and with challenging, important professional employment. Jack also made time to serve his church and communities. Jack received higher education from Purdue University, Indiana University and Notre Dame. 

After his discharge, the couple lived in South Bend where he worked as a draftsman/engineer for Torrington Bearing Company.  In 1968 the family moved to Jackson, Mississippi where he accepted the position of Plant Manager with Magna American Corporation. Jack’s family then settled in West Branch, Iowa in 1972 where he would work over the next 12 years as Chief Industrial Engineer for Sheller Globe and then for Century Engineering in Cedar Rapids as an Industrial Engineer. For ten years he served on the West Branch Community School Board. In 1984 Jack and MyraJane moved to Jefferson where he worked as an Industrial Engineer for the Jefferson Transmission Plant. Following that he owned and operated Hydraulic Fabricators. Jack semi-retired and worked part time in the office at Durlam Electric. 

Jack and MyraJane served on the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels for 20 years. They were faithful and active members of the First Presbyterian Church.  

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Orval Pinckert. His memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 66 years, Myrajane; devoted sons: Rick (Suzi) of Golden, Colorado; Gary (Becky) of Palmer, Alaska; Brian (Linda) of Oviedo, Florida and Ken (Mary) of Everett, Washington; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; sister, Eleanor Stock of South Bend, Ind.; sisters-in-law, Carol Pinckert, Melinda Booth-Lea and Elena Lea; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends. 

Memorials in Jack name may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, PO Box 204. Perry, Iowa 50220.