Funeral services for Jack Orchard, 90, will be held Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson. Interment will be in Scranton Twp. Cemetery in Scranton.
Jackson Lee Orchard, son of Claude and Laura (Kinnan) Orchard, was born Oct. 16, 1935, in Iowa City. He passed away on Feb. 14, 2026, at the age of 90.
Jack grew up in Jefferson and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1955. On Dec. 17, 1958, he married the love of his life, Shirletta Boulware, in Scranton. They made their first home in Fort Carson, CO, while Jack served in the Army for two years. In 1960, they returned to Jefferson where they raised their three children: Chris, Pam, and Cindy. Jack and Shirletta were married for 63 years.
After returning to Iowa, Jack worked a variety of jobs, including at Saba Bakery, before beginning a long career at Durlam Electric. Jack was known for his dedication to his work and was a familiar, trusted face around town. He spent his entire career at Durlam Electric where he became a part-owner until his retirement. He loved his job so much that he continued to pick up work even after his retirement, before eventually fully stepping back.
After his second retirement, you could find Jack tinkering in his garage and doing woodworking projects. He spent many hours driving Shirletta to various quilt shops and waiting patiently for her while she shopped. They enjoyed traveling to visit family in California and a highlight for them was taking a trip to Alaska. When at home, they enjoyed going out for morning and afternoon coffee with their friends.
He is survived by his children, Chris (Jody) Orchard of Jefferson, Pamela Hilsabeck of Ankeny, and Cynthia (Dick) Zieser of Guthrie Center; grandchildren Jennifer (Eric) Webb of Dallas Center and Seth (Megan) Zieser of Ward, Arkansas; and his great-grandchildren: Blake, Mason, Gracie, Allison, Liam, and Lucy.
He was preceded in death by his wife Shirletta; parents Claude and Laura; four brother, Leon, Richard, Jerry, and twin brother William; sister Connie Ball; and his son-in-law, Marty Hilsabeck.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Jack’s honor be made to Greene County Congregate Meals, 401 Greenewood Rd., Jefferson, Iowa.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, Iowa
