Ernest “Ernie” C. Jones, 88, of East Stroudsburg, PA, formerly of the Paulinskill Lake section of Stillwater Township, died Monday, December 30, 2024, at Spring Village at Pocono in East Stroudsburg, PA.
Ernie was born at home in Newton to the late Frederick and Martha (Pinkel) Jones. He was a lifelong Sussex County resident prior to settling in East Stroudsburg in 2022. He enjoyed the camaraderie of class reunions from Newton High School classes of 1954 and 1957 with his beloved wife, Beverly. Ernie was a 42-year employee of JCP&L until his retirement in 1996. After retiring, he drove a school bus in the county for special needs children. Ernie was also a master craftsman and completely renovated three of his family homes.
Ernie was a star athlete in high school where he played football and wrestled. He maintained his love of sports into adulthood as an avid fan of Sussex County High School sports. Ernie frequently attended his children and grandchildren’s sporting events and musicals where he could be seen cheering from the crowd as their biggest supporter. Family meant everything to him, and he particularly cherished the moments spent together on Paulinskill Lake.
Ernie found comfort and beauty in nature while hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed cooking and eating wild game and fish. He enjoyed tying flies and fly fishing, activities he shared with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Hampton and Frankford Seniors Clubs and was honored as a Hampton Township Senior of the Year in 2015. He enjoyed traveling and taking trips to other states and countries with the senior groups. Ernie was a former member of the Harmony Hill United Methodist Church. He was also a former member of the Hyper Humus Gun Club, Stillwater Gun Club, a gun safety instructor, and a Deputy Conservation Officer. His smile, laugh and warm disposition were a pleasure to all who had the honor of meeting him.
In addition to his parents, Ernie was also predeceased by his son, Daniel M. Jones; his grandson, Joseph Savage IV; and his siblings, Mike Jones and Janet “Sally” Jones Shawger. He is survived by his wife, Beverly H. Dalling Jones; his children, Doug Dalling (Michelle), Lynn Dalling-Francis, Sue Jones Lehr (Bill), Mark Jones (Michaela), and Heather Jones Prutzman (John); his grandchildren, Abigail, Danielle, Becky, Billie, Christina (Rick), Nicole, Steven and Jilian; and his great-grandchildren, Ronan, Sean, Kalob, Kelslee and Hayden.
Memorial visitation will be held from 9 am to 11 am on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St, Newton, NJ, with a Memorial Service beginning at 11 am.
Memorial donations can be made in Ernest's memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Newton, 54 High St, Newton, NJ 07860, the Harmony Hill United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 115, Stillwater, NJ 07875, or to the Stillwater Vol. Fire Department, 929 Stillwater Rd, Newton, NJ 07860.
