Charles William Jones (1927-2015)
JONES, RIGGIE, WEHRHEIM
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 11/26/2015 at 20:04:44
From Stevens Memorial Chapel obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:
Charles William Jones died at Israel House Hospice in Ames, IA on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.
A visitation will be held on Friday, November 14, 2015 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, at St. Thomas Aquinas (2210 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50014) a vigil service will begin at 5:30 pm. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday November 14, at St. Thomas Aquinas. Burial will follow services in the Glenwood Cemetery in Ogden, Iowa.
Charles was born on January 9, 1927 in Ogden, IA to William Dude and Fredricka (Riggie) Jones. He grew up and attended school in Ogden. At the age of 17 he enlisted and then served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 active duty. He remained on inactive duty until 1954. During his service, he served on the USS Colorado, one of the first ships to sail into Tokyo bay after Japan surrendered. He also sailed on the USS Southerland destroyer and USS Frank Knox destroyer.
Upon resuming civilian life, Charles attended Boone Junior College for one year. He then transferred to Iowa State University where he completed a bachelor's degree in education. Charles taught science, math, and shop at Boxholm, IA for three years. In 1950 and during his tenure at Boxholm schools, he met Margaret Wehrheim, who had joined the school district as the new kindergarten teacher.
Charles and Margaret nurtured a ten year courtship. Margaret taught kindergarten at Boxholm and then at Winterset; continued her college education at University of Northern Iowa; and then earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from ISU. Charles taught at Des Moines Lincoln High School, and then, in 1957, he obtained a Masters degree in one year at ISU majoring in both teaching and school administration. Charles went on to earn his PhD in education counseling from ISU in 1972.
He taught and provided counseling services at the ISU Counseling Center from 1957 to 1992 – 35 years. He also taught graduate students in Council Bluffs and Omaha, as well as provided counseling services to war veterans living at the Knoxville Veterans Hospital. He and his dear colleague Dan McMillan conducted research in education testing methods and published many academic papers during their time at ISU.
Charles Jones and Margaret Wehrheim married August 25, 1960. They built their lives together on an acreage four miles south of Ames and expertly cultivated bountiful gardens. In 1964, they adopted their daughter Rebecca Anne (Becky). In 1966, they adopted their son Michael William. The family was active at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ames as well as the United Community School District between Ames and Boone. Charles served on the United Community Schools Board for 15 years. Margaret died in 1987 just five years before Charles retired from ISU.
Charles' retirement career was devoted to his passions for music, theater and his faith. For over 50 years he "clowned around" in parades in Bussey, Ogden and Slater, and dressed up as Santa for his family, friends and nearby community of Kelly. He sang and served in leadership positions with the Ames Choral Society for more than 40 years. He was active with Actors Theater troupe before becoming a founding leader in the Heartland Senior Variety Show – helping to raise nearly a quarter-million-dollars for services and support for older adults in Story County. Charles was on the production team and also the emcee for the Variety Show for all 21 years, including this August. Charles was lay-leader and devoted member of the St. Thomas church choir. He also took a leadership role in the St. Thomas Aquinas student work trips to help families living in isolated communities in the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains for over 15 years. Earlier this year, Charles received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ames Cultural Society.
To know Charles was to love him, and to be loved by him. He was a friend to all, counselor to many, and true servant of his community. He was preceded in death by his brothers James, John, Roy, and his sister Maxine. Profoundly grateful and impacted by his amazing life are his daughter Becky (John) and son Michael (Sharon), granddaughters Samantha, Sabrina (Steve), Krista; grandsons Jesse, Jacob (Logann), and Jordan; great-grandchildren Trevor, Andrew, Caleb, Tristan, Kaylee, Kayden, Aidan, Samara, Zaydian, and Paige.
Online condolences and thoughtful memories may be shared on Charles page at www.stevensmemorialchapel.com.
Memorial contributions may be directed towards St. Thomas Aquinas, The Senior Variety Show, or the Ames Choral Society.
http://www.dignitymemorial.com/stevens-memorial-chapel/en-us/index.page
Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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