Emerson Jake Hough

Emerson was born in Belleville, IL, the son of the late Dr. Charles and Emily (Mathews) Hough. In his youth Emerson was a Boy Scout and in his adult life a Scout Leader where he was tapped for the Order of the Arrow. He was a past Master Counselor of Tancred Chapter, Order of DeMolay - where he received the Order of Chevalier. Emerson graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1944, where he played in the band and orchestra and was a member of the tennis team. He proudly served his country twice, as a Merchant Seaman during WW II in the Pacific Theatre on the SS Benjamin Bonneville, and the SS Jacob Lukenby in the Atlantic. During the Korean Conflict he served as a radioman on the destroyer U.S.S. Stribling DD867. For a time he was assigned to the Destroyer Atlantic Tennis Squad in Norfolk, VA. He was a member of the SS Samual Parker Chapter of American Merchant Marine and Armed Guard Veterans. Emerson retired after 39 years from the Marsh Co.. He was a member of Local #29 - American Federation of Musicians since the age of 15. Jake played string bass and sang with a number of local bands starting as a bass player with the Tom Harrison Band in High School and most recently with the Don James Band as a vocalist. For many years Jake was the M.C. for local concerts. He was a member of the United Church of Christ having attended in Belleville, Zion in Millstadt, and St. Paul in Columbia, where he sang in the choir. Jake was a member of R.S.V.P. and volunteered for 14 years in the information booth at B.A.C. and S.W.I.C., the last year as an assistant in the Schmidt Art Center. Jake also was an art student at the college and as an artist received a number of awards at local art shows. Jake also loved working in the yard and garden, traveling, and cooking. Preceded First wife: Judith Hough, nee Mueller Brothers: William and Raymond Hough. Visitation Monday, July 9, 2007 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, IL Services Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, IL Interment Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL Memorials Elevator Fund at St. Paul United Church of Christ or the SWIC Foundation GED Program. Survivors Wife: Geraldine (Kempf) Herrmann Hough Son: Darrel (Sylvia)Hough Daughter: Molla (Joe) Cook Brother: Art (Elma) Hough Grandchildren-Kati and Jennalee Cook, and Bryce Hough Gerry's kids: Laura Robinson, Dan (Rhonda) Herrmann, Mike (Andrea) Herrmann, and Jim Herrmann, and her grandchildren-Kimberly and Garret Robinson, Kelly, Katie, and Joel Herrmann, Dan Lambert, Brett Herrmann, and great-granddaughter-Kaelyn O'Brien, and his faithful yellow Lab-Sandra Sue Hough. As Jake closed many of his concerts, he closes his life by saying to all, "God bless you all, be kind to your neighbors and might I proudly add God Bless America, thank you and good night - in this case Goodbye".

Emerson Jake Hough

October 3, 1926 - July 5, 2007