Gerald Dale Lowe, 100, of Jacksonville, IL passed away Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Scott County Nursing Center in Winchester.

He was born January 7, 1926, in Lincoln, the son of Wilmer Stanely and Frances Cora (Fielder) Lowe.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Don, Weldon, Lyle, and Dean, and Kenneth Lowe; and four sisters, Vivian McCammon, Beverly Mountjoy, Lela May Smith, and Jean Taylor. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

In March of 1944, he was drafted at the age of eighteen into the U.S. Marine Corps. He traveled overseas to Hilo, HA and then to Camp Tarawa. In Jan. 1945, he headed to their first Combat Target, Iwo Jima, with the 5th Marine Division. He landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima at H-Hour Zero 900, Feb. 19, 1945, and was in combat there for 36 days. He then headed to Japan as part of the occupation force once the war concluded, staying there until August 1946. He was later called back up during the Korean War, serving as an ambulance driver with the 5th Division, Company C, returning to the U.S. in 1953.

He then began his career with Anderson Clayton Foods & Kraft Foods in Jacksonville, retiring after 38 years. He was also a member of the Western Illinois Leathernecks, Detachment #1177. He was actively involved with Troop #103 at Centenary United Methodist Church for many years. In 1979, he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award honored, from the Boys Scouts of America.

A graveside service with military rites will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Memorials are suggested to the Honor Flight. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.