Rev. R. Francis Jones, known as “Francis” went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 21, 2020, at his home in La Crosse, WI, at the age of 87.
Francis was born on a farm outside of Richland Center, WI on November 26, 1933. His commitment to the Christian faith began at the Assembly of God church in Richland Center. He graduated from Richland Center High School in 1952, and that fall began training for pastoral ministry at North Central Bible Institute (NCI) in Minneapolis, MN. In June, 1953, Francis married Lillian Krans, of Glidden, WI, and graduated from NCI in 1955. Francis pastored three Assembly of God churches in the State of Wisconsin for the next 20 years: in Glidden, Waupaca, and La Crosse. He then took interim pastorates in several rural churches and also worked and studied during this time. Francis worked as a skilled carpenter and builder while finishing his BA degree at UW-La Crosse. He graduated from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN with a Master of Divinity degree in 1982. In 1984, at age 50, Francis arrived in Kenya, with Lillian, and 9-year-old Jed, to begin his work as a missionary to Africa. He was known as “Muwalimu” (“Professor” in Swahili) by his African students at East Africa School of Theology where he taught for 14 years. On the weekends Francis would travel into Maasailand where God used him to reach the Maasai people with the gospel. In 1998, age 65, Francis returned from the mission field to live in Waupaca, WI for 16 years where he attended and ministered at First Assembly of God church. During this time, he was the Midwest Regional representative for Assemblies of God World Missions and then retired at age 75. Francis moved to La Crosse, WI in 2014 where he spent the last six years of his life and remained active in ministry at River of Life Church, Onalaska WI. Francis was known to have an extraordinary singing voice. He was often a featured soloist of sacred and community choral groups in both America and Africa, and was requested to sing at countless weddings and funerals. Along with his joy of singing he also enjoyed traveling, fishing and hunting!
Francis dearly loved his family and is survived by his wife, Lillian, and their five children, Greg (Rose) Jones, Pam Mandeville, Mark (Anjali) Jones, Todd (Linda) Jones, and Jerod Jones; 18 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Delores (Arnold) Wagaman; sister-in-law, Marlys Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews. Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Caroline (Fogo) Jones; son-in-law, Ted Mandeville; great-grandson, Dillion Jones; brothers, John (Jesse) Jones, Tom Jones, and Wally (Vivian) Jones; sisters, Anna (Earl) Buroker, Mary (Fred) Foglia, and Mardelle (Harold) Tracy.
Francis will be remembered for his devotion to God, his love of family, his extraordinary singing voice, his teaching ministry, and his dedication to ministry as a beloved pastor and missionary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Assemblies of God World Missions, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802 (in memo line write: Kenya Field account #6019681).
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2021 at River of Life Assembly of God Church, 1214 County Road PH, Onalaska, WI. Committal service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, January 10th at Waupaca First Assembly of God Church, 1420 Berlin St., in Waupaca, WI. Due to COVID-19 precautions, face coverings will be required and social distancing will be observed. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.