Joseph Jones

Joseph Franklin Jones, 90,  700 2nd St. S.E., Hampton, Iowa formerly of Thornton, Iowa went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012 at the Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hampton. 

A funeral Mass for Joseph was held Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake,  with the Reverend John Gossman as celebrant.  Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

Visitation was held Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapels, Clear Lake, with a Scriptural Wake service.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be designated to Joseph Jones Memorial Fund.

Joseph F. Jones was born on Feb. 11, 1922 in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the eldest son of Charles and Lenora (Bough) Jones.  He attended school and high school at Emmetsburg.  Following his education, he entered the CCC (Civilian Conservation Commission) then enlisted in the United States Marine Crops.  In 1939, he served in China during the course of World War II and was stationed in Guadalcanal engagements and served extensively receiving an honorable discharge from the Marines.

After being discharged from the Marine Corps, he worked various jobs, serving over 10 years working for the Iowa Commerce Commission as an inspector.  He was also involved with Jones Trailer Leasing with outlets in Texas and Oklahoma.  He also worked part-time as a policeman for several years, serving for two years as a Captain of the weekend Beach Patrol under the jurisdiction of the Clear Lake Police Department.  Joe spent some years driving transport for Decker Meats, Dahlen and Ruan.

Joseph F. Jones of Emmetsburg was united in marriage to Grace (Weydert) Jones on Aug. 24, 1943 at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake.

They spent many of their married years in the Clear Lake and Mason City area.  In 1952, they lived in Tucson, Ariz. and spent more than 20 years of their winters in Apache Junction, Ariz. until the fall of 1999 and coming back summers to reside in Thornton.

Joe has been retired from 1975 from active employment but remained busy.  Joe served as a volunteer medic, associated with the fire department and paramedics in Apache Junction.  When in Thornton, he took an active interest in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their sporting events.

In 2008, after the death of his wife, Grace, Joe moved to Willow Pointe Assisted Living, Mason City, where he lived for four years.  After many trips to Mercy Hospital, Joe moved to Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.  He spent his final months at the Rehabilitation Center in Hampton, Iowa.

Joe is survived by his daughter, Judy Veselis and her husband, Robert, Clear Lake, and Nikki Cook and her husband, Dennis, Thornton; three grandchildren, Chad Cook, Thornton,  and Lisa Cook, Thornton; Lori (Prentice) Cook-Thomas and Scot (Jill) Cook, Clive, Iowa; eight great-grandchildren, Steven Cook, Suzanne Cook, Jayson Cook, Collin Cook, Joshua Henley, Sophia Cook, Kellon A. Cook-Thomas and Stella Cook; brother, Paul (Jeanne Jones), Emmetsburg; brother-in-law, James Farrell, Lakeland, Fla.; sister’s-in-law Jackie Quinn, Ventura, Iowa, Pauline Quinn, Evansville, Minn., and Barbara (Bill) Halidy, Osage, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Grace, Jan. 16, 2008; two daughters, Peggy Jones and Suzanne Jones; sister, Mary Farrell; and brother, Leo Jones.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.