Mr. Jan Cecil Strom

If the world seems a quieter, less-funny place today, it may be because we lost one of our great storytellers. Jan Cecil Strom—affectionately known as “Sizzle” to family and friends—passed away at home early Tuesday morning. He was 71 years old. Sizzle was home on vacation from his work in Texas and had enjoyed several weeks with his family and friends celebrating the 4th of July and catching up with those he loved.

Jan was born on June 2, 1953, to Gerald and Beatrice Strom and grew up in Wataga, Illinois. He joined the Navy after high school and served in the Vietnam War. After returning home, he met his future wife, Wanda “Winks” (McCormick). They married on December 16, 1977, and were looking forward to celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary this December.

Winks—who Sizzle described as Superwoman— gave him three sons: Joshua (Alison), Jedidiah (Rebecca), and Jacob (Diana). They raised the boys on a small hobby farm in London Mills. Sizzle’s motto for his homestead was “Scrub cattle, runt pigs, and ornery boys.”

Sizzle cherished his grandchildren, Maxwell and Charlotte “Charlie”, and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his third grandchild this November.

Jan loved life and had many adventures in business, working overseas, and directing health & safety on federal infrastructure projects. But his greatest joy was being gathered around a table of good food with family and friends, telling lies stories. The next time we hear thunder, it may be the sound of God laughing at a Sizzle story.

We love you, pop. Rest in peace.

Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel. A funeral service will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the chapel with Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Knox County Honor Guard. Cremation rites will follow the funeral service. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors or to Folds of Honor. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

Services
Visitation
Sunday
July 21, 2024
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Hinchliff-Pearson-West, Inc.
1070 West Fremont St.
Galesburg, IL 61401

Funeral Service
Sunday
July 21, 2024
4:00 PM
Hinchliff-Pearson-West, Inc.
1070 West Fremont St.
Galesburg, IL 61401

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