John "Jack" Sankey, Jr.

Jack was born on August 11, 1920, the son of John Edward Sankey, Sr. and Katherine (Chatterton) Sankey. He married Shirley Jean Studenroth on May 10, 1957, in Springfield. She preceded him in death on November 20, 2004.

A native of Springfield, Jack attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School, Springfield High School and Springfield Junior College. He completed his education at Hobart College in Geneva, NY, before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard in 1941. He served through 1946, spending the majority of that time in the Pacific theatre.

Mr. Sankey co-founded Sankey Brothers, Inc. Construction Company and served as President until it was sold in 1986. He was an active member of the Springfield community serving on several Board of Directors including LPGA Rail Charity Classic, Springfield Airport Authority and Illini Country Club, where he also served as President. Mr. Sankey was also a member of the Sangamo Club, Springfield Art Association and several road paving associations. He was a devout Catholic and member of Blessed Sacrament and Christ the King Parishes.

Jack enjoyed several hobbies and pastimes including the stock market, spending time with family and friends, NCAA basketball and football and many more. His passion was golf and his personal claim to fame was that he shot his age or better from age 81 to age 92.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, brother, Robert “Bob” Sankey; and sister, Katherine “Sis” Sudduth.

Jack is survived by his sons, John E. (Jody) Sankey, III, of Tryon, NC, and Robert M. Sankey of Town and County, MO; daughters, Patricia (William) Marriott of St. Petersburg, FL, and Karen (John) Reyhan of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Karen Gail (Kory) Watson, Jacob Marriott, William (Kelly) Marriott, Melinda Marriott, Jacqueline Sankey, Robert Sankey, Jr., Elizabeth Hope Sankey, Patricia Paige (Matt) Kaps, Madelyn Reyhan and Franklin Reyhan; great-grandchildren, Anna, Molly Marriott, Ford, Finley Fontaine, Abigail and Jordan Watson; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation and Funeral Mass: Family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Jeff Grant officiating.

The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Parish, 1725 S. Walnut St., Springfield, IL 62704.