John Drexel Mead, age 100 and residence of McLeansboro, IL, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2024 at McLeansboro Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center.
Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at Harre Funeral Home, McLeansboro from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Service is at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 20 at the Funeral Home with Pastor Thad Galloway officiating. Burial will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery of McLeansboro.
Drexel was born July 2, 1923 in McLeansboro, IL to Fred Mead and Novie Letha (Thompson) Mead. He married Margaret Garrett on September 11, 1955 in McLeansboro at The First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1933. Drexel was the owner/operator of Mead’s Jewelry Store in McLeansboro. He was a member of the Hamilton County Saddle Club/ Charter Member of McLeansboro Lions Club/ Former Mayor of McLeansboro in 1991/City Council Member/Chamber of Commerce and VFW Post 1671/he worked for many years for the Salvation Army Tree of Lights in Hamilton County- many years on County Fair Board and member of the American Quarter Horse Assoc and the I.O.O.F. Cemetery Board.
Drexel attended the U.S. Honor Flight to Washington D.C. – then proceeded to Europe and visited Normandy Beach following Patton’s Trail. He was in WWII in the U.S. Army in rank of PFC and received 3 overseas service bars; the American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal; WWII Victory Medal.
Survivors include his Son, John Mead and wife Beverly; Granddaughter Sarah Christine Mead; one niece and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife Margaret; one Infant Son and Brother Thompson Mead and wife Beatrice. Memorials are requested to be made to The First United Methodist Church of McLeansboro and will be accepted at Harre Funeral Home, McLeansboro, which is in charge of arrangements
