Jordan Siegel

The second child of Ernie and Barbara Siegel, Jordan Siegel was born on the Fourth of July, 1961 in Chicago. He and his 2 sisters, Michele and Holly, grew up in Wilmette and attended Avoca grade school then New Trier West High School in Northfield. In his early years, Jordan excelled in school and enjoyed playing Little League baseball on Erglund Animal Hospital’s team. Growing up, he pushed his parents to get their first family dog, Rumm, a German shorthaired pointer. At New Trier, he continued to maintain high grades, was inducted into the French National Honor Society, and made new and international friends. Jordan was active in New Trier’s AV Club, fenced, and took a job working with a neighborhood veterinarian, an introduction for his future career. With tenacity and skill, in just 2 years Jordan completed his undergraduate degree with high marks at the University of Illinois and applied for entrance into the College of Veterinary Medicine at U of I. His professor of Animal Science wrote a note to Jordan’s parents stating “Jordan has a pleasant personality, a genuine determination, and, of course, a phenomenal intellectual ability…at the current time, Jordan is the best student of his age that I know.” During his 4 years learning to be a veterinarian, Jordan was an assistant to a veterinarian at Chicago horse racing tracks, completed a vet externship at Mont Clare animal hospital, and was a Camp Counselor at Pioneer Day Camp. He was a member of the Omega Tau Sigma Fraternity (veterinary fraternity) and Phi Zeta (veterinary Honor Society). During these years he met and became friends with his future wife, Karen Heger, also a student and future graduate of U of I’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Jordan’s first veterinarian position after his 1985 graduation was with the Golf Rose Animal Hospital in Schaumburg, IL. Over more than 40 years, he practiced at several veterinary clinics, established Naper-Ridge Animal Clinic, worked in the veterinary health and nutrition industry, and was the program director at the Vet Tech Institute at Fox College where he set up their first veterinary nursing program. In 1990, he and Karen married and set up their household and menagerie. Jordan was well-known and loved for his sense of humor, sharp wit and aptitude as a handyman. Over the years, he and Karen enjoyed traveling to a variety of spots including Hawaii, the Southwest, Europe, US National Parks, Caribbean…especially if it led to his driving a fast and cool car. Jordan doted on his & Karen’s many pets throughout the years. He enjoyed spending time with Karen’s family, and with his sisters & their families. His nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces very much loved their Jordy. He won the heart of his mother-in-law when he always asked for seconds of her many home-cooked meals. Karen and Jordan’s families are very grateful to their many friends for their steadfast love and support during the past several years as Jordan and Karen weathered his illness. A graveside service will celebrate Jordan’s life on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 12:30 at River Hills Memorial Park in Batavia IL. Prayers and stories of Jordan touching lives will be encouraged. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be offered to one of the following: - An animal shelter, humane society or animal rescue organization of your choice - Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation www.themmrf.org For more information and to sign Jordan’s guest book, please contact McCauley Sullivan in Bolingbrook, IL www.sullivanfunerals.com

Jordan Siegel

July 4, 1961 - March 23, 2026