Charles Jacobs

     GAMBIER- Charles Harold Jacobs, 75, went to the Lord on October 8, 2017 following a brave and courageous 14-month battle with cancer while cherishing his time with his children and their families.

     Charles was a hard-working and caring husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, co-worker and friend.  He was born March 24, 1942 to Helen (Hall) and Donald Jacobs of Gambier.  He attended Gambier and St Vincent de Paul Schools, sharing many stories of his football games with his wife over the years.

     He enjoyed hunting with his father as a child, a love of raccoon hunting that introduced him to Ada (Hawk) his future wife.  He and Ronald Hawk, Ada’s brother, had purchased a raccoon dog together.  Charles sold his interest in the dog to purchase the engagement ring.  Ada (Hawk) and Charles were married on August 4, 1962, celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary this past August. Charles was also a US Navy Veteran, honorably discharged in 1960.

     Charles enjoyed his farm life sharing stories with his children and grandchildren of helping neighboring farmers with baling hay and straw for a penny a bale, some days making $2 to $4 a day.  He used the money to buy school clothes and his first car, a 1951 Dodge Coup.

     He was blessed with a 31-year career, retiring in 2004, from Kenyon College as Coordinator of Health, Safety, and Residence Facilities.  He treasured his association with students, alumni and college staff.

     In July, 1983, Charles was awarded an honorary lifetime membership in Kenyon’s Delta Epsilon Fraternity.  In 2001, he received the College’s Distinguished Award to Support Staff.  He was an avid supporter of Kenyon’s athletic programs over the years, receiving the William A Long Memorial Award in 2004, an award given by the faculty committee of Student Affairs for his outstanding contribution to developing and clarifying the role of athletic play and competition in the life of the College.  Charles endowed a seat in the Bolton Theater and served on a presidential search committee.

     In 2015, Charles partnered with Kenyon faculty and students with the Physics 191 class to use his solar installation project as the focus of the winter 2016 class.

     On Founders’ Day, October 27, 2016, Charles received Kenyon’s Middle Path Medal for his distinguished service.  The Medal is awarded to people who devoted large portions of their professional and personal lives to Kenyon, its programs and its people.

     He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church, the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, the Knox County Farm Bureau, and the Knox County Cattlemen’s Association.

     Charles is survived by his wife Ada, his mother Helen Sims, daughters Charlene Bland and Patty (Tim) Workman of Mount Vernon, sons Charles Robert Jacobs of Phoenix, AZ and Dan (Shelley) Jacobs of Heath, grandchildren Brittany (Brian) Hoar of Westerville, Megan (Chas) Herron of Minot, ND, Alec (Alyssa) Workman of Columbus, Aaron Jacobs of Heath, Jake Bland of Boulder, CO, Jessi and Carly Bland of Mount Vernon, Charles Joseph and Laura Lyn Jacobs of Phoenix, great grandchildren Kinley and Keegan Herron of Minot, ND, brothers George (Janet) Jacobs and Ronald (Connie) Jacobs, sisters Judy (Dave) Mobberley, Sue and Donna Jacobs, step siblings Joan (Owen) Jones and Joe Sims, family friend Lori McKee, an uncle Robert Hall, an aunt Mary Hall, sisters-in-law Rita Hawk S.C. and Barbara Mickley, brothers-in-law Ronald and Donald (Janet) Hawk, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

     He was preceded in death by his grandparents, father Donald Jacobs in 1964, parents-in-law Frances and Robert Hawk, son-in-law Jeffrey Bland, niece Michelle Mobberley, step father George Sims, brother-in-law Earl Mickley, sister-in-law Joyce Hawk, and several aunts and uncles.

     The family will be forever grateful for the doctors and medical staff that provided care for Charles and the many family members and friends that provided prayers and support.

     Calling hours will be Friday, October 13, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St Luke Catholic Church in Danville.   A funeral mass will be held at the church on Saturday, October 14th at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Gambier, with graveside military rites performed by the Knox Co. Joint Veterans Council Honor Guard.  Fischer Funeral Home in Danville is in charge of arrangements.  www.fischerfuneralhome.com

     Memorial contributions may be made to St Vincent de Paul School Scholarship Program, 206 East Chestnut Street, Mt Vernon OH 43050 or Kenyon College, 105 Chase Ave. Gambier 43022.

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