Gordon D. McCollum

Gordon D. “Gordy” McCollum, 77, of Kankakee, passed away Monday, May 20, 2024, at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, Kankakee. He was born July 24, 1946, in Brookfield, MO the son of Oral and Blanche (Yocom) McCollum. When he was just 4 years old, his family moved to Silvis, Illinois. On March 19, 1977, he married Donna Hildebrand of Bettendorf, Iowa at Zion Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa. Gordon was in the broadcast business for over 40 years, including traffic manager at KRVR Radio Station, Davenport, Iowa, where he met his future wife. He was the Station Manager at Joy FM 98 in Menomonee Falls, WI as well as WKAN and WVLI in the Kankakee area. He was involved with KVT and was MC for the Kankakee Valley Symphony 4th of July concerts at KCC for many years. He enjoyed Bob and Ray comedy team recordings, traveling, Texas Hold’em poker, reading, jazz music, live theatre, good food, martinis, and watching sports of all kinds on tv. Most of all, he loved a good laugh and spending time with his family and friends. Gordy is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Donna McCollum of Kankakee; several cousins, including, Clark King of The Villages, FL and Albert Yocom of Maryville, MO; several close friends, including David Carmark of Moline, Jon Anderson of Leesburg, FL, Steve Horst of Hampton, and Ben Coppage of Kankakee; as well as his godson, Elisha Benjamin of Hoover, AL. He is preceded in death by his parents, Oral McCollum in 1985 and Blanche McCollum in 2005. Vitiation will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Jensen Funeral Home, Kankakee from 4 p.m. until the funeral service at 7 p.m. with Pastor Lana Robyne officiating. Burial will take place Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 1p.m. at Davenport Memorial Park, Davenport, Iowa. Memorials may be made to Kankakee County Humane Foundation, Kankakee Valley Theatre Association, or the Broadcast Museum, Chicago.