Dateline: Jerseyville, IL
Bona Jackson 95 passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Jerseyville Manor. She was born July 20, 1929 in Jerseyville, the daughter of the late Merdice and Kathryn (Johnson) Battershell. Bona graduated from Alton High School class of 1945. She was a long-time member of Vaughn Hill Church of Christ. She was one of the first ladies to be a member of the Women's Athletic Association in Illinois. Bona was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and K.C. Chiefs football fan, was a Bingo queen and enjoyed crafting and was highly praised by her family for her homemade noodle recipe. She was secretary for Jackson Refrigeration which she co-owned with her husband. She also had worked for Brown Shoe Company in Alton, was a nurse's aide at St. Mary's Hospital in Quincy and a private duty nurse. On October 13, 1949 in New Mexico, she married Leon Jackson, and he preceded her in death on November 13, 2005. Surviving are four daughters, Janice Laburay (Richard) of Godfrey, Judy Miller (David) of Bethalto, Jill Jackson Ramirez of Jerseyville, Jeanne Middleton (Stanley)of Godfrey, three sons, Kent Jackson (Linda) of Godfrey, Kevin Jackson (Karen) of Brighton and Keith Jackson (Brandy) of Wood River, thirteen grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren and one sister, Linda Sue Long of Bethalto. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Hamblen, one great grandchild, Katlynn Schuering, one niece, Kathy Hamblen and son in law, Richard Whelan. Visitation will be Friday, November 15, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Burial will be at St. James Cemetery in Edwardsville. Brian Magnuson will officiate. Memorials may be made to Vaughn Hill Church of Christ. The family would like to thank the staff of Jerseyville Manor for the good care they gave to Bona. Additional information and online guest book may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com