David Orville Jones, 25 Jun 1931 - 13 Jan 2013

JONES, POPE, JACOBI, RATHJEN

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 1/14/2013 at 15:18:08

David Jones, 81

Funeral Mass for David O. Jones, 81, Williamsburg, was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Williamsburg. He died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City.

The Rev. Joseph Roost officiated at the service.

Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Williamsburg.

Memorials may be made to the David O. Jones 4-H Scholarship Fund.

Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.klosterfuneralhome.com.

David Orville Jones was born June 25, 1931, in Williamsburg, the son of Harry C. and Grace M. Pope Jones. He attended the Williamsburg schools. He worked for Smith Motor Company for three years before he began his farming career March 1, 1951.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, serving in Korea.

He returned to farming and married Joyce M. Jacobi May 4, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Marengo. The couple had three sons, Randy, Terry and Eric. He actively farmed until 1983, when his sons Terry and Eric took over.

He then worked for the Iowa Liquor Commission until the closing of the stores. He continued employment at the physical plant on the University of Iowa campus. He retired from there in 1994.

He continued to support the family business as he became the “go-for” for Terry and Eric. The David O. and Joyce M. Jones Farm was recognized as a Century Farm in 2012, of which he was very proud.

As the years went by, his gardening and lawns became a very important and enjoyable part of his day. He was a strong 4-H supporter and he served as a leader and mentor for his children and grandchildren.

His family was very important to him and he attended the children’s and grandchildren’s school and 4-H activities as often as possible. He also enjoyed daily walks and visiting at the Rec Center, Williamsburg.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW 8797 and a life member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of and served on the board of directors for the Farmers Coop Grain and Lumber, Conroy, from 1971 to 1985.

Jones is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joyce; his sons, Randy and Lisa, Olathe, Kan., and their son, Bradley and Karen, Alexandria, Va.; Terry and Susan, Williamsburg, and their children, Paige, Ames, and Nate, attending Iowa State University, and Eric and Kathryn, Williamsburg, and their children, Nicholas, Elizabeth and Clint, at home.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a half-brother, Lester Jones, and a half-sister, Helen Rathjen.

The Williamsburg Journal Tribune, 24 Jan 2013
The Gazette, 16 Jan 2013
Kloster Funeral Home