Jon Mason Sams, 77, of Metropolis, IL, entered into rest Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Lourdes Hospital.
Jon was born in Olney, Illinois on January 6, 1938 to the late Clyde William Sams and Winifred Elenor Mason Sams. He was a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and received his master’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He retired after over 30 years as an educator at Shawnee College, teaching English, math, French and Spanish. Jon loved nature, especially hummingbirds and squirrels. Because of his lifelong interest in politics, both national and international, he read the New York Times and several foreign newspapers on a daily basis.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Adelia Linnemann Sams; two children, daughter Adelia Dorough Sams Quam and husband, Robert, of St. Jacob, IL, son, William Sean Sams and wife, Andrea of Fairfax, Va; five grandchildren, Dylan Scott Quam, Cathrine Adelia Quam, Megan Anne Quam, Nicholas Arthur Quam, and Sean William Sams; brother, Jerry William Sams and wife Lynda of Greenville, S.C.; brother and sisters in law, Richard Thomas Linnemann of Alexandria, VA, Anne Linnemann Terio and husband Charles of Alexandria, VA, and Calvin Cummins Linnemann and wife Patricia of Cincinnati, OH; and special cousins, Judith Mason Wilkinson and husband Franklin of Kansas City, KS, Patsy Mason Kukendall and husband Richard of Browns, IL., and Sue Sams and husband Gene of Santa Claus, IN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Winifred Sams; grandparents, Otto Sams and Alma Gertrude Phelps Sams, and Caleb Mason and Naomi Newport Mason.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, where he was a member, at 11am on Saturday, May 9, 2015 with Rev. Meghan Holland and Rev. George Jaeger officiating. Urn burial will take place in Grace Episcopal Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin at 10 am Saturday at the church.
Contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 820 Broadway Street, Paducah, KY 42001.
You may leave a message, light a candle or share a song tribute at www.milnerandorr.com.
