Funeral services for John I. Jacobs, age 85, of Mission, Texas, formerly of Albert Lea, will be held 2 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The

Rev. Wayne Halvorson will officiate. Burial will be in Northwood, Iowa. Military honors will be accorded by the Freeborn County Veterans’ Organizations. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bayview.

John passed away peacefully at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester on Tuesday, May 17, 2005.

John Ignatius Jacobs was born Aug. 29, 1919, to Catherine (Weaver) and John Peter Jacobs in Hays, Kan., and moved as a child with his family to southern Minnesota. John was employed by Wilson & Co. in Albert Lea from 1937 until he retired in 1982. He was in the U.S. Army for four years in World War II, serving in the South Pacific. On Feb. 6, 1954, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Ann Halvorson.

John and Phyllis moved to the Rio Grande Valley after retiring. While living in Albert Lea, they were members of Grace Lutheran Church and currently members of First Presbyterian Church of Mission, Texas. John was an Elks Club member, a founder of the Oak Grove Gun Club, and a lifetime member of the VFW. He enjoyed playing cards, watching game shows on TV, word puzzles, watching baseball, football, golf, and anything else that involved a round or oblong ball on TV, bingo, and before his health deteriorated played golf, and was an avid hunter.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; sons: Mark (Julie) and Mike (Cindee) of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Crystal Ann (David) Christenson of Honolulu, Hawaii, Candice Ann Jacobs of St. Paul, and Wesley John Jacobs of Austin, Texas; and brothers: George (Delorus) Jacobs and Casper (Reedie) Jacobs, all of Albert Lea. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Edna Halvorson of Northwood, who was very special to him; as well as sisters-in-law: Betty (Duane) Peterson of Emmons. and Marliss (Gary) Bachtle of Northwood; brothers-in-law: Roger (Arlyce) Halvorson, and Ron (Esther) Halvorson of Joice, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael (Nadine) Jacobs; sister, Lucille (Arthur) Travnick; an infant sister, Henrietta; and an infant brother.

John was a loving and always supportive husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Blessed be his name.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to donor’s choice.