Jackie Wesley Rowland age 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at his home in the Woodville community of Chester County.
Jackie was born August 2, 1937, one of seven children born to Velma Lee Capps Rowland and James Curtis Rowland. He attended school in Chester County and at Crump Vocational School.
In Jackie’s earlier years, he was an employee at Brown Shoe Company and Grinnell Corporation. He was later self employed running a garage and eventually became a full-time farmer.
Jackie married the love of his life, Linda Faye Hurst on November 18, 1961, and they made their home in the Woodville community where they reside to the day. Jackie and Linda were happily married for sixty-one years. Their home was always welcome and open for family, friends and neighbors.
Jackie was lovingly known by his family as “Backhoe Joe” because digging and working the land was one of his passions.
His garage was the “gathering place” for neighborhood friends to sit, socialize and solve the problems of the world. Jokes, stories and laughs were abundant by old friends and new ones.
He loved working on old tractors, trucks, and cars. He loved people and socializing and often attended community events. He was founder and proud supporter of the Masseyville Volunteer Fire Department.
Of all the thing she loved, his family came first. He enjoyed weekly meals, holidays, picnics and get togethers with those close to his heart. He was very competitive and almost always won any contest or competition he challenged the children to.
Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved daughters, Angela Dawn Rowland and Amy Denise Guinn. The apple of his eye were his grandchildren, Haley Cooper Herlth (David); Ali Cooper Kemp (Ryan) and Scarlett Tull and one grandson Houston Tull (Katie). Jackie was most proud of his three great grandchildren, Hudson and Caroline Tull and Lily Kemp.
He is also survived by a sister, Verbaleen Burkeens and a brother, Ronald Rowland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Thurman “Bud” Rowland, Loyd Rowland, Gaylon Rowland and a young sister Joan Rowland and a son-in-law, Dan Guinn.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, May 27th at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue with Bro. Anthony Rowland, Angela Rowland and Amy Guinn officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville-Rowland Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Crook Avenue 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday.
Shackelford Funeral Directors
