Delbert B. Jackson 93 resident of St. Maries, Idaho, died December 29, 2009 at St. Maries. He was born in 1916 to Leonard and Ada Gilleland Jackson at Terril, Iowa. He married Janet A. Forland on Sept. 8, 1937 at Fertile, Iowa. He was a committed Christian and gave generously to those in need. Delbert grew up in Iowa and graduated from Manley High School where he participated in football, track and band; he attended Iowa State University for two years. He worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps. When WWII began he was working for the Rock Island Railroad and was sent as a deferred worker from Iowa to the California desert at Needles. He was transferred to St. Maries in 1943 where he worked on the Milwaukee Railroad as a brakeman and conductor until he retired. He enjoyed singing, photography, home remodeling and woodworking, traveling, and gardening. He liked visiting with friends and always enjoyed the antics of family pets. Delbert loved music of all kinds, both vocal and instrumental. He also enjoyed learning new things, reading books and studying The Teaching Company courses until his death. For the last several years he was a devoted caregiver for his loving wife. His wife, Janet, survives him at the family home. Also surviving are daughters and sons-in-laws Delette and Ben Jarrell, Colleen and Paul Smith and Annette and Pat Petrie all of St. Maries; his brother and sister-in-law Dale and Lucille Jackson of Santa Barbara, CA and sister-in-law Vallie Forland of Mason City, IA; and grandchildren Brian Jarrell and Allison Weaver. He was preceded in death by sisters Colleen Dillon and Arlyne Gasaway. Funeral services will be Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Hodge Funeral Home, St. Maries with Fr. Timothy Ritchey officiating. Internment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to either BetterCARE c/o Benewah Community Hospital, St. Maries, Idaho or Soaring Eagle, PO Box 879, Billings, MT 59103. Hodge Funeral Home, St. Maries is in charge of arrangements..
