Funeral services for long time Perry sportswriter Jeff Webster will be today in Illinois and Sunday in Perry.  Jeff died Nov 6th at the Stratford Specialty Care.

Jeff’s family will meet friends from 10am until the time of a funeral mass at 11 am Friday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, 108 West Adams Street in Taylorville.  Burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Pawnee.

There will be a special gathering Sunday and celebration of Jeff’s life this Sunday from 1-3 in the Canisteo Room of the Hotel Pattee.  All are welcome.

The following is a letter former Perry Activities Director Tom Lipovac submitted to the Iowa High School Athletic Association back in 2017.

 

Please accept our nomination of Jeff Webster of Perry, Iowa for an Iowa High School Athletic
Association Sports Media Award. Jeff became the Sports Editor for the Perry Chief in February
of 2005 later leaving and becoming the co-editor for the Perry News. He is a positive addition
to our community and to our activities program promoting the best aspects of our school
district.
Prior to arriving in Perry, Iowa, Jeff Webster was the sports editor for the Marshalltown
newspaper, the Times-Republican, from 1999 to 2003. He also served previously as a staff
reporter for The Endeavour at Marshalltown Community College. Since assuming the role as
the sports journalist for the Perry area, newspaper coverage has been expanded into the
Woodward-Granger and Panorama school districts. Attention is provided for area high school
activities, middle school events, youth leagues, recreation programs, and the successes of
former area athletes. Jeff is an extremely diligent and gifted writer. He looks for the good in
high school athletics and understands the role of athletics in an educational setting. His loyalty
to Bluejay and Jayette athletics is unquestioned. The connections he makes with coaches and
student-athletes remains constant and positive even following their departure/graduation from
the Perry Community School District.
In addition to the outstanding coverage that Jeff provides to area sports, he also serves on
occasion as the color commentator for high school sporting events broadcast by KDLS Radio
working alongside Shawn Kenney. Whether it is in written form or as a radio analyst Jeff’s
comments are clearly expressed, well thought out, honest, and effectively communicated.
Frequently remarks are received from area residents complimenting Jeff’s writing and
commentary. Also, Jeff has served as a press box announcer for Bluejay Baseball and Jayette
Softball.
Jeff is actively involved in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He has volunteered his time as a
religious education teacher assisting in the preparation of students for the sacrament of
confirmation. Jeff is a lector sharing scriptural passages at masses on a regular basis. His voice
resonates in a church setting. Jeff is also a member of the St. Patrick’s chapter of the Knights of
Columbus.
Jeff Webster is a significant contributor to the athletic programs of the Perry Community School
District. It is not easy to follow in the footsteps of Harold Bailey who served as the sports editor
of the Perry Chief for fifty years. Jeff’s efforts and his dedication would make Harold proud.
Please give strong consideration to recognizing Jeff Webster with the Iowa High School Athletic
Association Sports Media Award.