Gordon Jake Henry, 80 years of age of Rockford, Il. Walked into eternity with your Lord on May 30, 2023. He was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on November 26, 1942. Son of John Henry and Betty (Rae) Henry. Jake grew up in Byron, IL. Attended Byron High School. Benefiting from a small-town upbringing and making lifelong friendships. At 19, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was mighty proud of his Rife Marksman medals. He married Pat (Montalbano) Henry on July 14, 1990. For the first seven years of Pat and Jake’s marriage, they traveled extensively through the Caribbean, scuba diving. Jake started his day off reading the Register Star cover to cover, solving the daily Sudoku and crossword puzzles. Always looking for the Best BBQ ribs in town, he found it important to support local businesses. The ten years, he grew heirloom tomatoes, selling them to local businesses, picking a local farmer's sweet corn he grew for Jake, and selling it at the Byron Farmers Market. Always aware of what was going on in local politics, and a frequent caller on WNTA, made him feel connected to his community. By running as a write-in for Winnebago County Board District 5 and serving on the Winnebago County Forest Preserve Board, hoping to help make local government fiscally responsible. Caring about the education of the children in our community, was a reading tutor at Beyer Elementary School. A member of St James Catholic School, always quick to help out serving food at the Parish Annual Picnic. Everyone who knew Jake knew, if he was thinking it, he was saying it. Either in his travels or on the streets of Rockford, his wife will tell you he never met a stranger. He would walk up to someone he did not know and strike up a conversation. You would usually find him in his beloved man cave watching his favorite sports teams, Nascar or an old Western. What will the world be like without Jake Henry?

Rest in Peace, my Love

Preceded in death by his father and mother, brothers Joe Russian, DeWayne Russian, and Sister Bernette Henry. Survived by wife Pat Henry, daughter Terra Henry, son Jeb Henry, stepdaughter, Beth Hratko Sanchez, stepson Miles Hratko, Granddaughter Sadie Fitch, and stepgrandsons, Oscar, and Sully Sanchez.

Memorial Mass at 11:00 AM Friday, June 9, 2023, at St. James Beauvais Center, Rockford. Memorial Visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass. Friday in the Beauvais Center. In Lieu of flowers, memorials to St. James Church Rebuilding. Celebration of Life at The Second Chance, 109 West Second Street, Byron, IL 61010. Tuesday, June 13th at 5:00 PM.