FORRESTON — With profound sadness, we announce that John “Jack” Royce Daws, 86, of Forreston, IL passed away on June 8th at his home surrounded by family. Jack was born September 22, 1938 in Freeport, IL to Royce F. and Harriet N. (Kuter) Daws. On March 23, 1958 Jack married Donna Lea Snodgrass in Leaf River, IL., and the couple made their home in Forreston.
Jack and his twin brother Jim started their own business, Daws Trucking, and hauled livestock locally for 26 years. For the next 36 years after that, Jack did public relations for Sibr of Sicalco, a Chicago based chemical company.
Jack was a member of First United Methodist Church of Forreston. Jack proudly served 55 years in the Forreston Fire Protection District, where he held various leadership roles, including assistant fire chief and trustee.
Jack is survived by his wife of 67 years Donna; son Mark Daws and former daughter-in-law Donna Cook Daws; two daughters Tammy (Maureen) Shadair and Penny Egan; four grandchildren Sabrina, Trenton Lukas, and Courtney; and four great-grandchildren Amaiah, Arian, Lilly and Aminah Jacklynn; sisters-in-laws Virginia Miller and Kristine Daws, brother-in-law Claude (Janet) Snodgrass and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Preceding Jack in death are his parents, his twin James “Jim” Daws and brother Jerry Daws.
Per Jack’s wishes there will be no services. Cremation rites have been accorded, and Jack will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL. Three memorials have been established in Jack’s memory. Donations can be directed to any of the following: The Forreston Fire Protection District, PO Box 212, Forreston, IL 61030; Serenity Hospice, PO Box 462, Oregon, IL 61061 or at serenityhospiceandhome.org; or Milestone Inc, directed to the Milestone Training Center, 4060 McFarland Road, Loves Park, IL, 61111 or at milestone-inc.org.
