Jones, Benjamin 1897-1990

JONES, WILDING, SELLMAN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/21/2010 at 14:34:47

Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Oct. 1, 1990

BENJAMIN JONES

Benjamin Jones, 93, of Tama, the father of Alan Jones of Grinnell, died of a stroke Monday, Sept. 24, at Grinnell General Hospital.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday at the Tama United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Peter Peterson officiating. Burial was in Newton Union Cemetery.

The son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Wilding Jones, he was born July 12, 1897, in Albertillery, Wales. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1907, graduating from Newton High School and Coe College. He received his master's degree from the University of Iowa.

He was married to Jean Sellman July 31, 1924, in Newton. The couple lived in Tama. Mr. Jones taught social studies and coached in Tama High School, becoming principal of the school in 1926. In 1942 he was appointed superintendent of schools, continuing in that post until 1963.

He also served as Tama County civil defense director and zoning director, and he served on the Tama Board of Adjustment. He was active in Boy Scouts, the Masonic Lodge and the Tama Lions Club. He received the Tama Community Service Award in 1988.

Mr. Jones is survived by two son, Alan of Grinnell and Benjamin of Ottawa, Canada, as well as six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife and two sisters.