Our dad, Jack Peaco, 91, died peacefully on Oct. 19 after a series of illnesses in Springfield, Mo., surrounded by sons Ed and Jason, and Ed's wife Jennifer.

Jack was born in Libertyville, Ill., to Elsie and James. They and Jack's older brother Harmon lived in a small house on the outskirts of Libertyville about 40 miles north of downtown Chicago. The house was near the railroad depot where James worked as a telegrapher.

He graduated from Libertyville High School and soon went to work at the Frank G. Hough Co., where he worked for more than 30 years.

He married the love of his life, Miriam, in 1953. They moved to nearby Mundelein and raised us. He served in leadership positions at Community Protestant Church (UCC), and he enjoyed the company of people they knew from high school or earlier. Jack volunteered with the Lions Club, and Miriam, an elementary school teacher, helped establish a library in Mundelein.

Jack and Miriam enjoyed 50 years together. She died in 2003.

Jack loved to sing. He sang in the high school chorus, in church choirs and the Hough Co. chorus. He sang in the house. He sang in the car. He sang while walking down the street. He sang (quietly) the lyrics of "Phantom of the Opera" and "Mama Mia" during live performances.

Having enough of the brutal winters of northern Illinois, he moved to Springfield in 2005. He found a house close to Ed and Jennifer, and he lived independently until the last three weeks of his life.

Jack enjoyed playing sports. He ran track in high school and later, in local leagues, he played 16-inch softball — big, dense almond-colored cannonballs, and no glove to catch them with. Only Chicagoland people would understand.

For many years, all of us gathered to run/walk in the annual Sunshine Run in Springfield.

Jack and Miriam enjoyed visiting Jason in Washington, D.C., taking in the monuments, museums and performances at the Kennedy Center. Later, Jason's visits to Springfield were highlights of Jack's life.

Jack was a passionate fan of the Chicago White Sox and Bears. He arrived in Springfield in 2005 in time to celebrate the White Sox World Series victory with Ed.

He liked Westerns, musical theater, Swing Era music and lawn care. He loved to cook with his George Foreman grill (he wore out three of them). And, among all tastes, he loved chocolate.

He was a great guy. His smile, laugh and voice will be missed.

Visitation will be Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole St., Springfield, Mo.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Southwest Missouri, 2926 East Battlefield Road, Springfield, Mo.