Rev. Jon A. Sibley Sr., 68, of Galesburg, died at 3:40 a.m. Monday, April 3, 2017 in OSF St. Francis Medical Center.
He was born August 8, 1948, in Galesburg, the son of Harold W. and Versie June (Williams) Sibley. He married Vicki C. Yarbro June 29, 1974, in Galesburg.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 43 years, Vicki; his mother, Versie June Hollowell of Galesburg; his step-mother, Barbara Sibley of Portland, Oregon; his mother-in-law, Alma Frazier of Galesburg; three sons, Jon (Kimberly) Sibley Jr. of Galesburg, Christopher (Lynn Lewis) Sibley of Chicago, and Kyle (Charmaine) Sibley of East Moline; three nephews and one niece who were raised as sons and a daughter, Cody Sibley and Brett Sibley, both of Galesburg, Shey Sibley of Kansas City, Missouri, and Rainee Sibley of Galesburg; four grandchildren, Kairn Brannon, Arlan Sibley, Jon Sibley III, and Kele Sibley; his siblings, Virgil (Lisa) Sibley, Dennis (Lisa) Sibley, Sonja Sibley, and Troy Sibley, all of Galesburg, Tracy Sibley of Kansas City, Anthony (Sharon) Sibley and Ellie (Larry) Sibley-Brown, both of Portland, and Donna Williams of Gig Harbor, Washington; and a host of other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; two sisters, Spring Sibley and Gwen Sibley; and two brothers, Dexter Sibley and Anthony Sibley Sr.
Jon was a lifelong resident of Galesburg. He attended Galesburg High School and graduated from Carl Sandburg College, earning a degree in Machine Tool Technology. He served in the United States Air Force and was discharged in 1971 with the rank of sergeant. He worked for OMC Gale Products for 16 years moving from laborer to tool and die journeyman to foreman. His career in law enforcement began with the Galesburg Police Department before transitioning to the Illinois State Police, where he would retire after 20 years. Most recently, Jon served as pastor at Full Gospel Church for 22 years.
Jon served on the Carl Sandburg College Board of Trustees, was elected Presiding Elder of the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God – Midwest District, and was a volunteer with the Streaks Dads at Galesburg High School. In 2013, he was awarded the Galesburg Chamber of Commerce Thomas B. Herring Community Service Award.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8, 2017 at Bethel Baptist Church. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. with Pastors Mark and Debbie Dexter officiating. Burial with military honors will be in East Linwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Jon A. Sibley Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel is handling arrangements for the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.