John "Jack" L. Leckel, Jr., age 90 of Collinsville, IL, born July 16, 1933 in Belleville, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.

Jack graduated from Collinsville Township High School in 1951. He was quite popular; known for his "effervescent personality". Jack worked in a professional theater in New York after high school.

He then went on to the University of Illinois earning a Bachelor's degree in Education. After graduation he taught in the mid-1950s at Springfield High School in Springfield, IL.

He then returned to the University of Illinois and completed his Master's Degree.

After moving to Chicago, he taught at J. Sterling Morton High School East in Cicero-Berwyn-Morton,IL, a suburb of Chicago. Over time, he became head of the Theatre and Language Arts Department for the entire Morton school district, which included Morton East  High School and Morton Jr. College in Cicero, IL and Morton West High School.

Jack shared his life with his long-time partner, Dr. Clyde "Robb" Robbins. They were together for 60 years until Robb passed away in 2018.

After retiring, Jack moved back to his hometown of Collinsville, where he served on the boards of both Downtown Collinsville and the Miner's Theatre Board.

Jack touched so many lives throughout his own— taught students, chaired a theater department, produced a tv show, lived and worked in Chicago, New York, and his hometown Collinsville, developed actors and designers, created productions and shows, authored books, and most of all, helped younger people find their spark, grow it, and use it.

He taught many, many people how to love theater, art, food and most of all conveyed that they could be anything they wanted. Jack helped make people be all they could be and successful!

He lived an amazing life.

In addition to Robb, he was preceded in death by his mother and father.

His family and close friends include:

Don, Carole, Ericah and Dominic Leone

Tom, Martha, Jack and Travis Carter

Tom McKinley

Joe Mantegna

John Dollis

Jack's wishes were to be cremated.  A graveside service will be held at St. John Cemetery in Collinsville at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 2024.