Jackie J. Wirick, 77, Syracuse, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2020, at Goshen Hospital.

Jackie was born in Kendallville, on Dec. 11, 1942, to the late Walter J. Wirick and Carol Bertina “Teenie” (Ross) Knafel. Jack was a 1960 graduate of Avilla High School. He was a hard worker throughout his life and worked multiple jobs including sales for Western-Southern Life insurance as well as laborer and supervisory jobs for various places including Flint & Walling, International Wire, Hendrickson Suspension, and Homecrest Cabinetry.

His passion was art and music. Jack painted, sketched, and did not pass the opportunity to doodle caricatures. He was raised in a musical family and once he bought his first guitar, he pulled together friends to form bands. Those included The Exits, The Right Direction, and The Who-Zat Band. They played and recorded music in and around the Fort Wayne area.

Jack loved lake life. On May 31, 1991, he married Linda Marie Magner and in 1997, they moved from Fort Wayne to Syracuse where they lived the lake life together. They became central to the neighborhood and Jack referred to himself as the informal mayor of Syracuse. Jack traded his motorcycle for a golf cart and enjoyed driving around the lake when he was not boating.

Survivors include his wife; son, Kris Wirick, Kendallville; son, Jeff Wirick, Wawaka; daughter, Mandy (Nik) Havert, Nappanee; stepdaughter, Kama (Jacquie) Clapper-Erpelding, LaOtto; three granddaughters: Emersyn and Quinn Clapper-Erpelding and Crystal Patton of Fort Wayne.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Evalyn Fortman; and a brother, Philip Wirick.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 7, at Wolf Lake Cemetery with Pastor Mike Albaugh officiating.

Preferred memorials to the hospice charity of your choice or any other charity that does good work.

Arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home.