Jake (Eldon) Wyland, 84, of Genoa, IL. died on January 24, 2024 at the Dignity Health Arizona General Hospital-Laveen in Phoenix, AZ.

He was born on October 16, 1939 in Syracuse, IN. to Eldon Russel Wyland, Sr. and Mildred (Anderson) Wyland.  He married Sharon Heiman on May 9, 1987.

Jake worked at the General Mills West Chicago Plant for 36 years.  After his retirement he volunteered with the recycling team at Kishwaukee Hospital for 7 years, where he was best known for his "Jake's Famous Monster Cookies"  that he made and distributed to every department and entire staff at Christmas. Jake was also a member of Crossview Church in DeKalb for the past 10 years.

Jake could fix anything and if he did not have the proper tool, he would make the tool required to fix it.  He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and will be forever known as "Papa" and "Grampy" by his loving family.

He had a true servant's heart and was completely selfless, always putting others before himself.  He raised his 2 sons while working full-time and caring for his first spouse who struggled with cancer for 10 years before she passed.  He then remarried and started all over again raising 3 children who loved and adored him.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon Wyland; his children, Eldon "Russ" Russell (April) Wyland III, Greg (Susan) Wyland, Neal (Holly) Lippold, Cara Leger and Ken (Emmy) Lippold; 13 grandchildren, Kristine, Robert, Lauren, Andrew, Emma, Bijou, Madison, Ami, Luke, Lily, Peyton, Dax and Birk; and half sister, Jane (Byland) Boorsma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Deanna (Kimpan) Wyland; his siblings, Patricia, Eldonna and Norman "Duke"; and three half brothers, Charlie Byland,  Danny Byland and Jim Byland.

There will be a private graveside service at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Aurora, IL.

To honor his life, a Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 309 Preserve Drive, Genoa, IL.  An outdoor memorial service will begin at 2:00 pm with an open house cookout to follow from 3:00-6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund (curealz.org).

Arrangements were completed by the Slater-Butala Funeral Home of Genoa, IL.  To sign the online guest book or share a special memory, go to www.butalafuneralhomes.com