James A Jones, Jr.

Born June 17, 1921 in Elliott to James Albert, Sr. and Nettie Alice (Charles) Jones, he married Margaret Kathryn Downing on December 16, 1945 in Fairbury. She survives.

Also surviving are four sons, Danny L. (Mona) Jones of Astor Farms, Florida, Rory L. (Ruth) Jones of El Cajon, California, Douglas J. Jones of Pekin, and Michael E. (Lesli) Jones of League City, Texas; two daughters, Marla K. (William) Venard of Holland, Michigan and Roberta J. (Perry) Cruce of Marquette Heights; nineteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one brother, Robert (Louise) Jones of Granite City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers, and four sisters.

A United States Army veteran of World War II, he served from September 24, 1942 to December 7, 1945. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant.

Jim owned and operated Jones Service Company in Marquette Heights for 23 years, retiring in April of 1984. He previously worked for Kenyon, Inc. in Peoria for 9 years.

He was a member and former trustee of Bradley Epworth United Methodist Church in Peoria and was a member and past area president of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. He also was a life-time member of both the William Schaefer American Legion Post #44 in Pekin andthe Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Jim enjoyed reading and doing cross word puzzles.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2006at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Thomas Eckhardt will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded.

Memorial contributions may be made to his church, 1316 West Columbia Terrace, Peoria, IL 61606.