David L. Jones

Dave Jones, 68, of Pawnee, passed away at 1:45 pm on July 15, 2025, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 12, 1956, in Decatur, IL, into the loving arms of his parents, Ron and Laura Jones. He married Sharon Allison on November 29, 1980, at St. John Vianney Parish in Sherman, IL.

He was a 1974 graduate of MacArthur High School in Decatur and graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in School Administration from the University of Illinois Springfield. Dave was a teacher and coach in the Pawnee school district for many years, teaching students in elementary school and junior high. He was a successful baseball and basketball coach, taking two basketball teams to compete in the IESA State Tournament. He later was an administrator in several school districts outside of Sangamon County. He retired from education in 2011; however, his heart always remained with the Pawnee School District. Throughout Dave's career in education and coaching, he impacted thousands of students' lives over 5 decades.

Upon his retirement in 2011, Dave was a major contributor to the Pawnee baseball program as a volunteer assistant baseball coach for the Junior High and High School teams. He was an important part of the coaching staff, keeping a flawless scorebook. Dave's coaching career was capped off with the 2025 Pawnee High School baseball team's 3rd place finish in the IHSA State Tournament. Dave made many new friendships and enjoyed his relationships with the coaches, players, and families. Dave's true passion throughout his life was baseball.

Dave's other interests included fishing, especially when fishing in the Boundary Waters of Canada. He made the trip several times and always wished for more. He also enjoyed golf, coaching his sons' baseball and soccer teams, his annual trip to an Ole Miss football game and working crossword puzzles. Dave was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan, always supporting his teams, even through the dark days. For Dave's 60th birthday gift, Sharon surprised Dave and Bryce with tickets to the Cubs Spring Training Camp in Mesa, Arizona. This had been on his bucket list for quite some time and was a dream fulfilled. In June 2024, Dave was honored to be chosen as the Grand Marshall of the Pawnee Prairie Days parade. He enjoyed waving to the admiring crowds as he passed by riding in the back of a vintage red Cadillac.

Dave holds warm memories of his happy childhood. He often spoke of hunting with his dad, visiting his grandfather's corner grocery store, and wearing pajamas to the drive-in movie. His summers were always filled with fun. With his two friends and brothers Ron and Dale Fiala, mornings were filled with riding bikes and playing whiffle ball, followed by ping pong in the Fiala's garage and then swimming in the community pool. The trio went to MacArthur High School and Western Illinois University where they were members of the Sigma Pi Fraternity. Dave acquired his nickname, "Deige", thanks to these lifelong friends.

Dave's greatest joy in life was being a father to his 2 sons, Blake and Bryce. Coaching his boys, reading to them at bedtime, and being the all-time pitcher while playing whiffle ball in the front yard were treasured times. Dave enjoyed traveling with his family, including a drive down Highway 1 in California, stopping at Disney Land, seeing the canyons of Utah, with his favorite being Bryce Canyon (of course), and taking his sons to Cubs games. However, his favorite “happy place” was Marco Island, Florida. Dave and Sharon celebrated their 40th anniversary by taking Bryce and his wife Ashleigh to a resort in Mexico. Dave also enjoyed a wonderful vacation in late June while touring the islands of New England with Sharon. The family trips to the Gulf of Mexico beaches were his favorite.

Dave was preceded in death by his son, Blake, and his father, Ron.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; son, Bryce, his wife Ashleigh, and granddaughter, Emma Jones, all of O’Fallon, MO; mother, Laura of Decatur, IL ; brothers, Jeff (Karen) of Lindenhurst, IL, and Dan of Decatur, IL; sister, Lori (Mike) Harmon of Overland Park, KS; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and the family dog, Libby.

Cremation will be provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Memorial Gathering will begin at 4 p.m. with a prayer service and the family will receive guests until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church, 1020 N. Milton Ave., Springfield, IL 62702, with Rev. George Nellikunnel S.A.C., celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pawnee Baseball Program, Pawnee High School, 810 Fourth St., Pawnee, IL 62558.