Wiley Jackson House

        Wiley Jackson House, devoted husband  of Betty Jean Strong 
House, died on December 10, 2002, in Bermuda Dunes, California. Jack was the son of Amanda Fishback House and George Wiley House of DuQuoin, Illinois. He was the nephew of Almira "Allie" House Ozburn, of Pinckneyville, Illinois. He grew up in DuQuoin, graduating from DuQuoin Township High School, where he and Betty were high school sweethearts. After graduation Jack enrolled at the University of Missouri, Columbia, and he was later honored with a basketball scholarship. He was a member of the Phi Delta Fraternity at MU.
	Jack's studies were interrupted by World War II. He enlisted 
with the ROTC at Northwestern University and was trained in 
communications. He was a navigator on a LST with the US Navy  and his highest rank was Lieutenant. After his honorable discharge, he 
returned home, fell in love with Betty, and returned to MU where he 
received a Bachelor of Science in History. Jack and Betty were 
married in 1947 . They moved to Okawville and Jack taught history and coached baseball and basketball at Okawville High School.
	In the early 1950's, as the House family grew, employment 
opportunities arose, and Jack began his thirty year career in dairy 
management, working first as an advertising manager for Midwest 
Dairies in Memphis, Tennessee. After the acquisition of Midwest 
Dairies by the Southland Corporation, Jack and his family moved to 
Dallas, Texas where he was general manager of Cabell's Dairies, and 
in 1966, the House family took up permanent residence in Los Angeles, California. Jack retired as the Western Regional Manager of the Dairy Division of the Southland Corporation which included overseeing Adohr Farms (Los Angeles)  and Spreckles Dairies (San Francisco).
	For the past 13 years, Betty and Jack have been residing in 
Bermuda Dunes, a small community outside of Palm Desert, California. Jack was a loving husband to Betty, as well as her best friend and they celebrated 55 years of marriage prior to their passing. He was a devoted father to his girls as they were devoted to him. He was a stand-up guy, honest to a fault and a man everyone could depend on. Jack's word was his bond. He enjoyed life, working and playing to his fullest, including a golf handicap envied by many.
	Jack and Betty are deeply missed by family and friends. In 
California, they are survived by three daughters, Suda Kay House 
Lazzara, Judge Mary Thornton House, and Christy Carol House Marentay, sons-in-law, Thomas Lazzara, James Thornton, and John Marentay, grandchildren Emma Victoria Lazzara, Calamity Jaye Marentay, Sarah Elizabeth Thornton, and Kyle Richard Thornton. Jack is survived by Betty's brother and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. (Joe Ann) Strong, Jr., of DuQuoin, and nieces and nephews, Janet McCurdy, Harry E. Strong, III, Cindy Heape, Patricia Aue, Joseph Strong, Anne Paxton, and Susie Johnson. Jack is survived by family in Pinckneyville, Lorraine Ozburn (Mrs. Robert Ozburn), Bill Ozburn and Don and Sandra Ozburn of Rockville, Illinois.
	A family service is pending until spring of this year. 
Donations to honor Wiley Jackson House may  be made to The Betty and Jack House Fund, Scripps Foundation for Medicine and Research, P.O. Box 2669, La Jolla, California 92038-2669.
