Jean Benjamin Hutson, age 85, of Osceola, formerly of Rochelle, Illinois, passed away Friday evening, November 18, 2011 at Healthwin Specialized Care in South Bend, Indiana. Jean was born April 21, 1926 to the late Lyle C. and Marian I. (Crandall) Hutson in Harvard, Illinois. Jean proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy on a PT Boat during WWII, before his honorable discharge in 1946.

Surviving is his wife Gloria of Osceola, whom he married on June 9, 1984 in Dundee, Illinois. Also surviving are his 5 children, Diane (Larry) Johnson of Esmond, Illinois, Barbara (Paul) Bearrows, of Rochelle, Illinois, Patricia Kromrie, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Craig Hutson and Michael Hutson, both of Elgin, Illinois. Also surviving are 4 step children, Margo Kirkham of Phoenix, Arizona, Claire (Jim) Richards of Granger, Indiana, Kevin Radde of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Darren (Jodi) Radde, formerly of Granger, and now residing in Carmel, Indiana. Jean is also survived by his sister, Pat Hutson of Englewood, Colorado, 15 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy M. Hutson in 1982, and a granddaughter, Diana Bearrows.

There will be one hour of calling prior to the 11:00 am memorial service Monday, November 21, 2011 at Osceola United Methodist Church, 431 N. Beech Road, Osceola Indiana 46561. There will also be a visitation at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle, IL on Sunday Nov. 27th from 2:00 - 5:00 PM, with a memorial service Monday, Nov. 28th at 11:00 AM at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home 400 N. 6th St. Rochelle. Burial at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Rochelle IL, with Military Honors provided by the Eastern Lee-Ogle Honor Guard.

Jean was employed for 28 years as a State Trooper in Illinois. He also served as the Police and Fire Commissioner in Rochelle, Illinois from 1980-1992. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf, spending time at his summer property on Pleasant Lake in Wisconsin, reading and woodworking. His woodworking skills were used to make many things for his grandchildren, and to attract the birds he loved to watch. Jean also enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears and Cubs.

His memberships include the Rotary and Kiwanis Club in Rochelle, Illinois, the Illinois Retired State Police Association, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the Rochelle First United Methodist Church, and the Osceola United Methodist Church.

In his memory, donations may be made to the Osceola United Methodist Church, the Wounded Warriors Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or the Esmond Methodist Church.