Sarah A. Jones

Sarah A. Jones, 54, of Rochester, died at 6:08 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at her home. Sarah was born October 9, 1957 in Flora, the daughter of Ted and Dorothy Wilkerson Matteson. She married Lance T. Jones on August 1, 1981 in Flora. Sarah was a 1975 graduate of Flora High School and graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1979 where she was a member of the Green House Girls. She retired after 35 years of teaching for Sangamon Area Special Education District (SASED) in Chatham, Rochester and Auburn. Sarah started with SASED in 1987 in Chatham and then was assigned to Rochester in 1991. She moved to Auburn in 2008 where she finished her career this May. She will be remembered for her dedication to her students, her creativity, her candor, her passion for her work and her wonderful sense of humor. She volunteered to assist with the referendum campaigns that resulted in the current Rochester Elementary School 2-3 building. She also was an original board member of the Rochester Schools Educational Foundation. Sarah was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and enjoyed flower gardening, reading, story-telling, laughing and spending time with family. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Lance T. Jones of Rochester; one son, Taylor Jones of Rochester; one daughter, Kathryn "Kassie" Jones of Rochester; one brother, David (wife, Twila) Matteson of Pineville, MO; mother and father-in-law and family; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 26, 2012 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 27, 2012 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, with Rev. Julie Wells Blythe officiating and Rev. David Upchurch participating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to: BeatSarcoma, Inc., 76 Ellsworth St., San Francisco, CA 94110.