Jack Duane Harrell, age 88, passed away at his home in Olney, Illinois On December 23, 2024. The funeral service for Jack will be Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Olney at 11:00 AM with visitation for family in friends from 10:00  AM until the time of service. The burial will follow at Hazel Dell Cemetery North in
Hazel Dell, Illinois.  The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left www.meyerfh.com .
Jack entered this world at home on South West Street, Olney, Illinois, born to Pearl F. Harrell and Myra Walker Harrell on August 4, 1936.
He joined his sister Wanda, and 2 sisters followed later:  Mina Rae and Mira Linn.
Jack entered the U.S. Army at the young age of 17.  Jack completed basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington.  From there, Jack was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  He completed jump school and went to Germany with the 11th Airborne.  Jack was discharged at age 20 after serving 3 years in active duty.  In later life, Jack enlisted in the Illinois National Guard serving the engineer unit in Lawrenceville, Illinois and the 233rd Military Police Unit of Springfield.  Jack then transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves in Peoria, Illinois and Bartonville, Illinois, retiring from military service at age 60, receiving a Certificate of Retirement for serving 20 years and retiring as Sergeant First Class and also received the "The Army Commendation Medal."  While in the military, Jack completed the PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Class) and ITC-Instructor's Training Course.  He also completed cook and baker's school.  The last almost 10 years of service were spent as an instructor at the U.S. Army Training Academy, instruction leadership to soldiers up to and including Grade E-8.
Jack always wanted to be a police officer to help others.  Jack was hired as a patrolman with the Olney Police Department in 1959 and worked there until 1962 when he went to work for the Rantoul Police Department.  He returned to Olney in 1963 and became the Chief of Police and was the youngest police chief in the Sate of Illinois at the time.  He was Chief for a period of time before returning to patrol.  Jack was hired as a Trooper with the Illinois State Police in 1966.  Jack graduated #6 in the Class of 36.  Jack's class was the last class to stay at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  The Illinois State Police Academy opened its' doors in 1968.  Jack worked for ISP until he retired on December 31, 1990, at the age of 54 as a Master Trooper.  During his ISP career, Jack worked out of D-1-Sterling, Illinois; D-10-Pesotum, Illinois and D-12 Effingham, Illinois.  During his career, Jack worked mostly on patrol; and for a short period of time in the DCI division and as the
Range Officer for District 12 Effingham, Illinois.
Never one to be satisfied with working just one job, Jack and his brother-in-law, George Cazel, owned C and H Communications for about 10 years-selling and servicing FM radios.  This included installing towers for customers.  After C and H disbanded, Jack started Apex Communications which was in business for about 40 years.  Jack provided FM radio services for some farmers and businesses in the area.  Jack also provided services to the Richland County School District, installing the radios in the school buses.
Jack loved to travel.  After retiring from the State Police, Jack had several motor homes and campers, and some years Jack would be away from Olney for 6 months at a time.  He traveled to many states, Canada and Mexico.
Jack was also active in the community.  He spent 3 years on the Board of Directors for Richland Country Club.  Jack was on the Emergency Telephone Systems Board (9-1-1 Board) serving 21 years, many of which were as the Chairman.  Jack was a 28-year member of the Flora Masonic Lodge #204; the Olney Elks Club; and the Illinois State Police American Legion Post 1922.  The number 1922 is commorative with the 100-year anniversary of the Illinois State Police which was formed on April 1, 1922.  In his younger years when his children were small, Jack was a Weblo den leader and a volunteer fireman.
Jack had hobbies.  Always loving to fly airplanes, Jack took pilot lessons and obtained a private pilot's license.  He owned several small planes in the 1980's and 1990's including a 1976 Cessna 150, 1969 Maule and Piper Cherokee Warrior.
Jack had almost 1,000 hours in the air.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Pearl F. Harrell and Myra Walker Harrell; his son, Tony Harrell; 3 sisters-Wanda Lee Goodwin; Mina Rae Harrell and Mira Linn Cazel.
Jack is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kimbara G. Harrell; daughter, Cecelia A. Ealey of Ava, Illinois;
son, Christopher J. Harrell, of Denver Colorado; 6 grandchildren-James, Chrissy, Annie, Matthew, Christoher and Courtney;
great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.



In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Olney Public Library or Carle RMH Hospice