Mike Lee Jacobs, 71, of McLeansboro, passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He was born in McLeansboro on July 14, 1954 to Charlie and Lovene Jacobs.
Mike graduated from McLeansboro Township High School in the Class of 1972. He then went on to Rend Lake College, graduating with his associate’s degree in 1974. In February of 1975, he began working as a set up technician for Continental Tire in Mt. Vernon, where he continued to work for the next 43 years until his retirement. In his younger years, Mike played summer league softball in Mt. Vernon. He enjoyed watching sports, particularly baseball and softball. He liked spending time outdoors and fishing in the pond at the family farm. He was passionate about volunteering his time, and he did so as a property maintenance manager for Williams Hill Pass OHV Park in Rudiment, IL where he also liked to camp in the cabins. Mike also dedicated his time to those struggling with addiction as he served with the Celebrate Recovery Program ministering to inmates in Harrisburg and to others struggling in the Southern Illinois area. Mike was a member of the First Baptist Church in Harrisburg.
He is survived by his son Bryan Jacobs of McLeansboro, daughter Amy Jacobs of McLeansboro, granddaughter Jayla Gholson of McLeansboro, brother Art (Chris) Jacobs of Creal Springs, brother Larry Jacobs of Arnold, MO, sister Janet (Joe) Anderson of Broughton, sister Cathy (Michael) Tick of Fayetteville, NY, and brother DeWayne (Sue) Jacobs of Wildwood, MO. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sue Stasicky of Kankakee, and granddaughter Audrey Jacobs.
Funeral services for Mike Jacobs will be held on Monday, December 29th, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro with Pastor Rick Strole officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. on Monday until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will take place immediately following the funeral service at Concord Cemetery east of McLeansboro.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com
