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Rocky Mountain Obituaries 8-8-11

John P. Jones, 88, of Wiggins, Colo., passed away June 11, 2011 at the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Ft. Morgan, Colo.

He was born April 19, 1923 in McLouth, Kan., to Alfred and Olive Jones. He attended the Wildhorse rural school and graduated from McLouth Rural High School in 1942.

During World War II he stayed on the farm to support his widowed mother and little sister.



In 1944, he met Mary Virginia Heywood at a neighborhood softball game. Her smile and blue eyes soon won his heart. They were married on March 28, 1948 in the Stanwood Friends Church, which was built by his Quaker ancestors.

John continued to farm, but took other jobs to help make a living. They moved to a farm near Lawrence, Kan., but were forced to leave after the massive flood of 1951.



They moved back to McLouth, Kan., where John learned the meat cutting trade in a local grocery and locker plant. Later they moved to Meriden, Kan., where he continued meat cutting. After a tornado damaged much of the town, John found an ad in a Topeka newspaper looking for a meat cutter in Wiggins, Colo. Their family of four children and two dogs, a ’51 Chevy and a U-Haul made the trip to Wiggins, Colo.

They settled into life in Wiggins, Colo., and joined the Denver Friends Church. John was civic minded, serving on the town council and other community activities. He enjoyed spending time in the Rockies. He continued his work as a butcher until heart and other health problems made it necessary to retire. He was soon busy with their sons’ enterprises, JEJ Angus and Jones Orchard Farm. He was happiest working with the cattle and farming, his faithful dog, Cleo, always by his side.

John and Virginia helped establish the Wiggins Friends Church. When it closed, they attended the Community Church, due to the distance to Denver, Colo. John served faithfully in many church activities. John’s faith and his Christian beliefs were an important part of his life. He enjoyed the sports his family was involved in, enthusiastically supporting both his children and grandchildren. Their family was very important and they cared for grandchildren when needed. His warm smile and sense of humor won many friends. In his 80s, Alzheimer’s took it’s toll. He was cared for at home until hospitalization became necessary. The love he shared with his family continued through “the long goodbye.” He was describes as a gentle soul, a farmer at heart.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; daughter, Mary Ellen Mercer of Wiggins, Colo.; sons, Ed Jones of Sugarland, Texas, and Tim Jones and Tom Jones, both of Wiggins, Colo.; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Viola Edmonds and Alfreda Ryan, both of McLouth, Kan., and Hildred Stockwell of Hoyt, Kan; many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Uncle John; brother-in-law, Bob Ryan; sister-in-law Margaret Smelser and her husband Lloyd Smelser, all of McLouth, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services were at the Wiggins Community Church in Wiggins, Colo.

On October 2, the family plans an inurnment and memorial service in the Wild Horse Cemetery, not far from John’s birthplace. This will coincide with the annual Homecoming at Stanwood Friends. As long as health permitted, John and Virginia went back to McLouth, Kan., for the Alumni Banquet and Homecoming. Though John soon began telling their relatives, “Kansas was a good place to be from,” he still retained a sense of home there.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Fellowship of the Wiggins Community Church, 423 Dickson, Wiggins, Colo., 80654.

John P. Jones, 88, of Wiggins, Colo., passed away June 11, 2011 at the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Ft. Morgan, Colo.

He was born April 19, 1923 in McLouth, Kan., to Alfred and Olive Jones. He attended the Wildhorse rural school and graduated from McLouth Rural High School in 1942.

During World War II he stayed on the farm to support his widowed mother and little sister.

In 1944, he met Mary Virginia Heywood at a neighborhood softball game. Her smile and blue eyes soon won his heart. They were married on March 28, 1948 in the Stanwood Friends Church, which was built by his Quaker ancestors.

John continued to farm, but took other jobs to help make a living. They moved to a farm near Lawrence, Kan., but were forced to leave after the massive flood of 1951.

They moved back to McLouth, Kan., where John learned the meat cutting trade in a local grocery and locker plant. Later they moved to Meriden, Kan., where he continued meat cutting. After a tornado damaged much of the town, John found an ad in a Topeka newspaper looking for a meat cutter in Wiggins, Colo. Their family of four children and two dogs, a ’51 Chevy and a U-Haul made the trip to Wiggins, Colo.

They settled into life in Wiggins, Colo., and joined the Denver Friends Church. John was civic minded, serving on the town council and other community activities. He enjoyed spending time in the Rockies. He continued his work as a butcher until heart and other health problems made it necessary to retire. He was soon busy with their sons’ enterprises, JEJ Angus and Jones Orchard Farm. He was happiest working with the cattle and farming, his faithful dog, Cleo, always by his side.

John and Virginia helped establish the Wiggins Friends Church. When it closed, they attended the Community Church, due to the distance to Denver, Colo. John served faithfully in many church activities. John’s faith and his Christian beliefs were an important part of his life. He enjoyed the sports his family was involved in, enthusiastically supporting both his children and grandchildren. Their family was very important and they cared for grandchildren when needed. His warm smile and sense of humor won many friends. In his 80s, Alzheimer’s took it’s toll. He was cared for at home until hospitalization became necessary. The love he shared with his family continued through “the long goodbye.” He was describes as a gentle soul, a farmer at heart.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; daughter, Mary Ellen Mercer of Wiggins, Colo.; sons, Ed Jones of Sugarland, Texas, and Tim Jones and Tom Jones, both of Wiggins, Colo.; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Viola Edmonds and Alfreda Ryan, both of McLouth, Kan., and Hildred Stockwell of Hoyt, Kan; many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Uncle John; brother-in-law, Bob Ryan; sister-in-law Margaret Smelser and her husband Lloyd Smelser, all of McLouth, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services were at the Wiggins Community Church in Wiggins, Colo.

On October 2, the family plans an inurnment and memorial service in the Wild Horse Cemetery, not far from John’s birthplace. This will coincide with the annual Homecoming at Stanwood Friends. As long as health permitted, John and Virginia went back to McLouth, Kan., for the Alumni Banquet and Homecoming. Though John soon began telling their relatives, “Kansas was a good place to be from,” he still retained a sense of home there.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Fellowship of the Wiggins Community Church, 423 Dickson, Wiggins, Colo., 80654.

John P. Jones, 88, of Wiggins, Colo., passed away June 11, 2011 at the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Ft. Morgan, Colo.

He was born April 19, 1923 in McLouth, Kan., to Alfred and Olive Jones. He attended the Wildhorse rural school and graduated from McLouth Rural High School in 1942.

During World War II he stayed on the farm to support his widowed mother and little sister.

In 1944, he met Mary Virginia Heywood at a neighborhood softball game. Her smile and blue eyes soon won his heart. They were married on March 28, 1948 in the Stanwood Friends Church, which was built by his Quaker ancestors.

John continued to farm, but took other jobs to help make a living. They moved to a farm near Lawrence, Kan., but were forced to leave after the massive flood of 1951.

They moved back to McLouth, Kan., where John learned the meat cutting trade in a local grocery and locker plant. Later they moved to Meriden, Kan., where he continued meat cutting. After a tornado damaged much of the town, John found an ad in a Topeka newspaper looking for a meat cutter in Wiggins, Colo. Their family of four children and two dogs, a ’51 Chevy and a U-Haul made the trip to Wiggins, Colo.

They settled into life in Wiggins, Colo., and joined the Denver Friends Church. John was civic minded, serving on the town council and other community activities. He enjoyed spending time in the Rockies. He continued his work as a butcher until heart and other health problems made it necessary to retire. He was soon busy with their sons’ enterprises, JEJ Angus and Jones Orchard Farm. He was happiest working with the cattle and farming, his faithful dog, Cleo, always by his side.

John and Virginia helped establish the Wiggins Friends Church. When it closed, they attended the Community Church, due to the distance to Denver, Colo. John served faithfully in many church activities. John’s faith and his Christian beliefs were an important part of his life. He enjoyed the sports his family was involved in, enthusiastically supporting both his children and grandchildren. Their family was very important and they cared for grandchildren when needed. His warm smile and sense of humor won many friends. In his 80s, Alzheimer’s took it’s toll. He was cared for at home until hospitalization became necessary. The love he shared with his family continued through “the long goodbye.” He was describes as a gentle soul, a farmer at heart.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; daughter, Mary Ellen Mercer of Wiggins, Colo.; sons, Ed Jones of Sugarland, Texas, and Tim Jones and Tom Jones, both of Wiggins, Colo.; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Viola Edmonds and Alfreda Ryan, both of McLouth, Kan., and Hildred Stockwell of Hoyt, Kan; many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Uncle John; brother-in-law, Bob Ryan; sister-in-law Margaret Smelser and her husband Lloyd Smelser, all of McLouth, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services were at the Wiggins Community Church in Wiggins, Colo.

On October 2, the family plans an inurnment and memorial service in the Wild Horse Cemetery, not far from John’s birthplace. This will coincide with the annual Homecoming at Stanwood Friends. As long as health permitted, John and Virginia went back to McLouth, Kan., for the Alumni Banquet and Homecoming. Though John soon began telling their relatives, “Kansas was a good place to be from,” he still retained a sense of home there.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Fellowship of the Wiggins Community Church, 423 Dickson, Wiggins, Colo., 80654.

John P. Jones, 88, of Wiggins, Colo., passed away June 11, 2011 at the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Ft. Morgan, Colo.

He was born April 19, 1923 in McLouth, Kan., to Alfred and Olive Jones. He attended the Wildhorse rural school and graduated from McLouth Rural High School in 1942.

During World War II he stayed on the farm to support his widowed mother and little sister.

In 1944, he met Mary Virginia Heywood at a neighborhood softball game. Her smile and blue eyes soon won his heart. They were married on March 28, 1948 in the Stanwood Friends Church, which was built by his Quaker ancestors.

John continued to farm, but took other jobs to help make a living. They moved to a farm near Lawrence, Kan., but were forced to leave after the massive flood of 1951.

They moved back to McLouth, Kan., where John learned the meat cutting trade in a local grocery and locker plant. Later they moved to Meriden, Kan., where he continued meat cutting. After a tornado damaged much of the town, John found an ad in a Topeka newspaper looking for a meat cutter in Wiggins, Colo. Their family of four children and two dogs, a ’51 Chevy and a U-Haul made the trip to Wiggins, Colo.

They settled into life in Wiggins, Colo., and joined the Denver Friends Church. John was civic minded, serving on the town council and other community activities. He enjoyed spending time in the Rockies. He continued his work as a butcher until heart and other health problems made it necessary to retire. He was soon busy with their sons’ enterprises, JEJ Angus and Jones Orchard Farm. He was happiest working with the cattle and farming, his faithful dog, Cleo, always by his side.

John and Virginia helped establish the Wiggins Friends Church. When it closed, they attended the Community Church, due to the distance to Denver, Colo. John served faithfully in many church activities. John’s faith and his Christian beliefs were an important part of his life. He enjoyed the sports his family was involved in, enthusiastically supporting both his children and grandchildren. Their family was very important and they cared for grandchildren when needed. His warm smile and sense of humor won many friends. In his 80s, Alzheimer’s took it’s toll. He was cared for at home until hospitalization became necessary. The love he shared with his family continued through “the long goodbye.” He was describes as a gentle soul, a farmer at heart.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; daughter, Mary Ellen Mercer of Wiggins, Colo.; sons, Ed Jones of Sugarland, Texas, and Tim Jones and Tom Jones, both of Wiggins, Colo.; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Viola Edmonds and Alfreda Ryan, both of McLouth, Kan., and Hildred Stockwell of Hoyt, Kan; many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Uncle John; brother-in-law, Bob Ryan; sister-in-law Margaret Smelser and her husband Lloyd Smelser, all of McLouth, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services were at the Wiggins Community Church in Wiggins, Colo.

On October 2, the family plans an inurnment and memorial service in the Wild Horse Cemetery, not far from John’s birthplace. This will coincide with the annual Homecoming at Stanwood Friends. As long as health permitted, John and Virginia went back to McLouth, Kan., for the Alumni Banquet and Homecoming. Though John soon began telling their relatives, “Kansas was a good place to be from,” he still retained a sense of home there.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Fellowship of the Wiggins Community Church, 423 Dickson, Wiggins, Colo., 80654.

John P. Jones, 88, of Wiggins, Colo., passed away June 11, 2011 at the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Ft. Morgan, Colo.

He was born April 19, 1923 in McLouth, Kan., to Alfred and Olive Jones. He attended the Wildhorse rural school and graduated from McLouth Rural High School in 1942.

During World War II he stayed on the farm to support his widowed mother and little sister.

In 1944, he met Mary Virginia Heywood at a neighborhood softball game. Her smile and blue eyes soon won his heart. They were married on March 28, 1948 in the Stanwood Friends Church, which was built by his Quaker ancestors.

John continued to farm, but took other jobs to help make a living. They moved to a farm near Lawrence, Kan., but were forced to leave after the massive flood of 1951.

They moved back to McLouth, Kan., where John learned the meat cutting trade in a local grocery and locker plant. Later they moved to Meriden, Kan., where he continued meat cutting. After a tornado damaged much of the town, John found an ad in a Topeka newspaper looking for a meat cutter in Wiggins, Colo. Their family of four children and two dogs, a ’51 Chevy and a U-Haul made the trip to Wiggins, Colo.

They settled into life in Wiggins, Colo., and joined the Denver Friends Church. John was civic minded, serving on the town council and other community activities. He enjoyed spending time in the Rockies. He continued his work as a butcher until heart and other health problems made it necessary to retire. He was soon busy with their sons’ enterprises, JEJ Angus and Jones Orchard Farm. He was happiest working with the cattle and farming, his faithful dog, Cleo, always by his side.

John and Virginia helped establish the Wiggins Friends Church. When it closed, they attended the Community Church, due to the distance to Denver, Colo. John served faithfully in many church activities. John’s faith and his Christian beliefs were an important part of his life. He enjoyed the sports his family was involved in, enthusiastically supporting both his children and grandchildren. Their family was very important and they cared for grandchildren when needed. His warm smile and sense of humor won many friends. In his 80s, Alzheimer’s took it’s toll. He was cared for at home until hospitalization became necessary. The love he shared with his family continued through “the long goodbye.” He was describes as a gentle soul, a farmer at heart.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; daughter, Mary Ellen Mercer of Wiggins, Colo.; sons, Ed Jones of Sugarland, Texas, and Tim Jones and Tom Jones, both of Wiggins, Colo.; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Viola Edmonds and Alfreda Ryan, both of McLouth, Kan., and Hildred Stockwell of Hoyt, Kan; many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Uncle John; brother-in-law, Bob Ryan; sister-in-law Margaret Smelser and her husband Lloyd Smelser, all of McLouth, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services were at the Wiggins Community Church in Wiggins, Colo.

On October 2, the family plans an inurnment and memorial service in the Wild Horse Cemetery, not far from John’s birthplace. This will coincide with the annual Homecoming at Stanwood Friends. As long as health permitted, John and Virginia went back to McLouth, Kan., for the Alumni Banquet and Homecoming. Though John soon began telling their relatives, “Kansas was a good place to be from,” he still retained a sense of home there.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Fellowship of the Wiggins Community Church, 423 Dickson, Wiggins, Colo., 80654.

John P. Jones, 88, of Wiggins, Colo., passed away June 11, 2011 at the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Ft. Morgan, Colo.

He was born April 19, 1923 in McLouth, Kan., to Alfred and Olive Jones. He attended the Wildhorse rural school and graduated from McLouth Rural High School in 1942.

During World War II he stayed on the farm to support his widowed mother and little sister.

In 1944, he met Mary Virginia Heywood at a neighborhood softball game. Her smile and blue eyes soon won his heart. They were married on March 28, 1948 in the Stanwood Friends Church, which was built by his Quaker ancestors.

John continued to farm, but took other jobs to help make a living. They moved to a farm near Lawrence, Kan., but were forced to leave after the massive flood of 1951.

They moved back to McLouth, Kan., where John learned the meat cutting trade in a local grocery and locker plant. Later they moved to Meriden, Kan., where he continued meat cutting. After a tornado damaged much of the town, John found an ad in a Topeka newspaper looking for a meat cutter in Wiggins, Colo. Their family of four children and two dogs, a ’51 Chevy and a U-Haul made the trip to Wiggins, Colo.

They settled into life in Wiggins, Colo., and joined the Denver Friends Church. John was civic minded, serving on the town council and other community activities. He enjoyed spending time in the Rockies. He continued his work as a butcher until heart and other health problems made it necessary to retire. He was soon busy with their sons’ enterprises, JEJ Angus and Jones Orchard Farm. He was happiest working with the cattle and farming, his faithful dog, Cleo, always by his side.

John and Virginia helped establish the Wiggins Friends Church. When it closed, they attended the Community Church, due to the distance to Denver, Colo. John served faithfully in many church activities. John’s faith and his Christian beliefs were an important part of his life. He enjoyed the sports his family was involved in, enthusiastically supporting both his children and grandchildren. Their family was very important and they cared for grandchildren when needed. His warm smile and sense of humor won many friends. In his 80s, Alzheimer’s took it’s toll. He was cared for at home until hospitalization became necessary. The love he shared with his family continued through “the long goodbye.” He was describes as a gentle soul, a farmer at heart.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; daughter, Mary Ellen Mercer of Wiggins, Colo.; sons, Ed Jones of Sugarland, Texas, and Tim Jones and Tom Jones, both of Wiggins, Colo.; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Viola Edmonds and Alfreda Ryan, both of McLouth, Kan., and Hildred Stockwell of Hoyt, Kan; many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Uncle John; brother-in-law, Bob Ryan; sister-in-law Margaret Smelser and her husband Lloyd Smelser, all of McLouth, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services were at the Wiggins Community Church in Wiggins, Colo.

On October 2, the family plans an inurnment and memorial service in the Wild Horse Cemetery, not far from John’s birthplace. This will coincide with the annual Homecoming at Stanwood Friends. As long as health permitted, John and Virginia went back to McLouth, Kan., for the Alumni Banquet and Homecoming. Though John soon began telling their relatives, “Kansas was a good place to be from,” he still retained a sense of home there.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Fellowship of the Wiggins Community Church, 423 Dickson, Wiggins, Colo., 80654.


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