JW Polk

JW Polk, age 84 of Mattoon, IL passed away at 11:30 AM, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL with his daughter Tina by his side. A funeral service in his honor will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, January 5, 2024, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Pastor Richard Eident will officiate. A committal service will immediately follow at Windsor Cemetery in Windsor, IL. The visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the funeral home. JW was born on July 23, 1939, in Douglas County, AR to the late John William and Mary Adele (Yancy) Polk. He is survived by his soulmate of thirty plus years, DeLois Crouse of Mattoon, IL; children: Tim Polk, Angie Polk, and Laurie Harley of Windsor, IL; Tina Owens of Mattoon, IL, Julie Alessi and husband Tony of Loris, SC, David Owens of Mattoon, IL, Gary Owens and husband John Cauley of Mobile, AL, Laura Ogden of Charleston, IL one brother, Bill Polk of St. Augustine, FL; seventeen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, and one sister. He also had a special bond with his puppies Molleigh and Toby until their passing in early 2023. Mr. Polk retired from the State of Illinois Agriculture Department where he was employed as an auditor for more than twenty-five years. Prior to that he was a general superintendent for Howell Asphalt in Mattoon, IL. He was past governor and a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge and member of the Eagles Club, and SAL American Legion, and the VFW Men’s Auxiliary all of Mattoon, IL and the Masonic Lodge of Sullivan, IL. In his earlier years, he was an avid golfer and honed his skills as a Class AA State Skeet Shooter. JW had an appreciation for American freedom, he also took great pride in his Harley Davidson motorcycle and enjoyed the freedom of the open road. Watching Fox News on his television and playing slot machines were ideal pastimes, but above all he relished the moments spent with his friends, family, and especially his grandchildren. Soulmate, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to so many, JW will be deeply missed, but the memories of him will be forever treasured. Memorials in his honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

JW Polk

July 23, 1939 - December 26, 2023