JACK ARTHUR EDENS, 89, passed away on February 18, 2024. A long-time restaurateur has taken his talents, his secret recipes, his megawatt smile, and all his silly songs to a new venue where he will be serving the Lord. He will rejoin his mother Sally (Thomas), his father Vance, and his stepfather Tony Pope. Also there to greet him are his siblings Wally, Tim, Orrie, and Betty Olmstead. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Crossroads Community Church in Galena, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm with a church service and dinner to follow. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena is assisting the family. Jack was born September 20, 1934, raised in Chicago, and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1952. He then served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany where he coached baseball, dealt some cards, and blew up a few bridges as a member of the explosives team. When Jack returned, he became the head florist for Pope’s Florist and Garden Center. Jack eventually partnered with his brother Tim and bought the family business from his folks. They parlayed that business into what became the most happening place in Mundelein, Pope’s Garden of Eden – the name honoring both fathers at the same time. Jack moved to Waukegan, sans his brother Tim, to open Double D Pizza in 1978. He found a new partner in business, and in life, Tamara Tiernan. The two married in 1986 and later moved to Galena to open Procento’s Pizzeria with their sons Jack and Ryan. Jack retired in 2019 after many years of bringing joy to people through his food and hospitality. Jack went by numerous nicknames; Smilin’ Jack, Pizza Man, Senior, Jack Pope, Papa Jack, and Mr. Jack, just to name a few. Jack enjoyed spending his free time fishing at Jim’s Pond, but never believe the fish stories! Wherever Jack went, there was sure to be a song and a smile to follow, even if he did make up his own words to most of his songs. Jack was always full of jokes, and he found true joy in making others laugh. Jack was an avid fan of Chicago sports teams; he loved the Chicago Cubs and Da’ Bears. Jack also liked to hustle his family on all sporting events, as he never lost a football bet. He will always “Be #1” in our hearts. Fear not- all the stories about the man, the myth, the legend of Smilin’ Jack will live into infinity through the people he loved the most and left behind: His beloved wife Tammy, his sister Caroline Adornetto, his daughter Liz Edwards (Dave), his sons Jack (Ella), and Ryan. Stepdaughter Julie (Tim) Deal, his grandchildren, Ally, Ashlyn, Lana, Chelsea (Angel), and Troy, and a ton of admiring nieces and nephews. On behalf of the Edens family, we would like to express our gratitude to the staff at Galena Stauss Nursing Home for the kindness, loving care, and friendship you provided to Jack. Thank you, Dr. Gullone, for the years of care and empathy. A special thanks to Hospice of Dubuque for their guidance and compassion in Jack’s final days. We pray that God will continue to bless the hands of the healthcare workers who have made such a positive and lasting impact in our lives. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Dubuque in Jack’s memory. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.furlongfuneralchapel.com