George Jacob of Peoria, IL, left us quietly at home on January 11, 2026. He was 61. After fifteen years of living with the effects of a serious motorcycle accident back in 2010, he finally found peace, surrounded by the family he loved so much.
He grew up in the Peoria area, went to Dunlap High School, then Northern Illinois University. Work took him into the family business. He became president of Brewers Distributing Company and served on the board of the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois. But the things that really drove him were outside the office.
George poured himself into Peoria. He served on the city council. He helped run Neighborhood House. He co-founded the Moonlight Basketball League because he believed in giving kids a place to play and grow. He also gave time to the Peoria Chamber, Mid America Bank, Easter Seals, St. Jude, the Steamboat Classic, United Way, even coached youth hockey. People still talk about how he showed up, rolled up his sleeves, and made things better.
Family was his center. He and Jeannine married in 1997 and raised five kids who meant everything to him: George, Jake, Katherine, Thomas, and Bennett. He took the boys hunting in South Dakota. He planned special daddy-daughter dates with Katherine. He loved long bike adventures together—crossing the country or heading overseas to New Zealand, Australia, Europe. Those trips built stories they’ll tell forever.
Jeannine cared for him at home all those years after the accident with a kind of devotion most people only dream of. Caregivers Shirley Smith and Lakeisha Emerson were right there beside her. Doctors like Tom Kouri, Samer Sader, and Tom Rashid helped every step of the way. George faced it all with the same steady spirit he brought to everything else.
He leaves Jeannine, their five children, his mom Margaret, his sister Meg, and a big extended family of in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. His dad Budd and brothers Walter and Paul went before him.
Everyone is welcome at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Visitation Thursday, January 15, from 4 to 7 pm, rosary after. Funeral Mass Friday, January 16, at noon, with an hour of visitation before. Father Patrick Henehan will lead, then burial at Resurrection Cemetery.
