Roger Dale Jackson

     Name a road that you drove on today and chances are, at some point, Roger Jackson either built or worked on it. Roger Dale Jackson, 74, of Anna, Illinois, died in Marion, Illinois of cancer on December 23, 2025.

     He was born in Anna, Illinois in 1951 to Jewel Jackson and Lucille (Barker) Jackson who welcomed him into their large, loving, rural family. Roger graduated from Anna Jonesboro Community High School. After graduating from high school, Roger joined his father Jewel as a member of the Laborers’ Local 1330 before later going to work at E.T. Simonds where he became a beloved asphalt foreman before retiring in 2013 after decades of dedicated service.

     Roger met the love of his life, the late Debra (Debbie) (Davis) at school in Anna, Illinois. Excited to start their new lives together, Roger and Debbie were married in Anna in 1971. Their love was beyond measure.

     Roger and Debbie welcomed their children James (Jimmy/Jim) William Jackson in 1977 and Jason Scott Jackson in 1979. Though the boys’ accomplishments and later marriages to Sarah Marie Dunkel in 2009 and Jamie Lee Craig in 2011 meant the world to Roger and Debbie, their favorite role was that as Maw maw and Pawpaw to their four grandchildren. Cale James Jackson was born in 2011, Delaney Marie Jackson and Charles (Charlie) Marc Jackson were born in 2013, and Lucas (Luke) Scott Jackson were born in 2020.

     Throughout his life, Roger built strong and lasting friendships with folks from school, Union County’s Autos Unlimited club, dirt biking, and work at E.T. Simonds. Roger, and his family, were grateful for these relationships.

     Roger will always be remembered for his love of family and friends as well as his sometimes grumpy but always loving nature. Quick to temper and quick to hug, Roger’s family and friends cherish the life he and Debbie built instilling values such as hard work, loyalty, and humble pride in their children and grandchildren. His grandchildren could not have asked for a better Pawpaw and will miss him every day. Knowing he has returned to the side of his beloved Debbie can bring his family and friends some peace.

     He is survived by his children, Jim (Sarah) and Jason (Jamie); grandchildren, Cale, Delaney, Charlie, and Luke Jackson; sisters Doris Whiteside and Pam Gee; and several other beloved family members. Roger is preceded in death by his wife, Debbie Jackson; his parents, Jewel and Lucile Jackson; brothers, Richard, Ronal, and Gary Jackson; sisters Dorothy Davis and Wanda Smith.

     Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Interment will be in the Casper Cemetery. Friends may visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2025 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. In honor of Debbie and Roger’s commitment to children and families in Southern Illinois, donations to Pay-It-Forward Union County would be greatly appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.