Submitted by Victoria Kelly

Francis C. Jacobs

May 28, 1917 - Feb 4, 2006

Francis Charles " Jake" Jacobs, 88, of South Bend, passed away at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, February 4, 2006, in his daughter's home.

He was born May 28, 1917, in Goshen, Ind, as the son of Walter C. and Ethel L. (Peck) Jacobs, and had been a lifelong resident of this area.On June 23, 1938, in South Bend, he married Virginia Lee Smith. Together, they enjoyed 66 years of marriage until her passing on April 2, 2004. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Dennis D. Jacobs in Sept. 1986, and Charles C. Jacobs on Jan 12, 2005, by a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Gaylord; two sisters Alice Sites, and Betty O'Laughlin; a half sister Margaret Milam.

Mr. Jacobs is survived by three daughters and their husbands, Joan and Lyn D. Gaylord of LaPorte, Ind, Garnet S. and William Lamb of Elkhart, Ind, and Nancy J. and George Varga Sr. of Elkhart, Ind... Also surviving are eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter; along with a half brother, Morris Jacobs of Mishawaka, Ind.

Mr. Jacobs retired from Torrington Corp. in 1979 as a precision grinder following 40 years of service. He was a member of River Park United Methodist Church, PATA (American Trap Shooting), and National Rifle Association. His passion was growing roses. People would travel for many miles to see Jakes roses. He recieved the J. Horace McFarland Memorial Award for growing roses, and was a member of St. Joseph Valley Rose Society and the American Rose Society. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. Most of all, his family was very important to him.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, in Palmer Funeral Hom-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend,. Rev. Ed Erskin will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Silverbrook, Cemetery, Niles, Mich. The family will recieve friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the  Palmer Funeral Home-River Park.