John Reese Jones, age 92 of Wild Rose, died peacefully on Sunday, August 22, 2021, at Heartland House in Wautoma surrounded by family.
He was born January 1, 1929 at the Jones Homestead Farm in the Town of Rose, the son of James O. and Margaret Enid Jones. He married June Irene Olson on January 11, 1951 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca, WI. They had five children: Julie, Jane, Jill, JoAnn, and Jay. Years after June’s passing, he married Elaine Boyce on July 25, 2009. John graduated from Wild Rose High School in 1946 and proceeded to work on the family farm along with his dad and brothers. John served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1951-1952. After his service, he returned to the farm to raise his family. John was very community-minded, an intrinsic part of the Wild Rose community. He was a school board member for 12 years, the treasurer for six years, and served on the CESA Board. John was part of the Waushara Electric Co-op and served as the president for six years. John was also a member of the American Legion, Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge, and VFW. John’s contributions to the community were appreciated by all that knew and loved him. John was a member of the Wild Rose Presbyterian church for his entire life. He was ordained an Elder in 1962. He was a Sunday school teacher and served various offices over the years. He loved his church family and his pastors over the years. He had an extra special place in his heart for Pastor Alyson Janke, the current pastor at the Presbyterian church. John loved to share his beautiful bouquets of gladiolas with the church, freshly cut from the farm. He appreciated the simple things in life, the farm, and all his kids and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching them play sports and participate in school activities. He valued his years driving bus and getting to know the children in the community he so loved. John loved flowers, driving tractor and whistling a tune, singing the S-M-I-L-E song, and any time he spent on the farm.
John is survived by: children, daughters, Julie Friedl, Wild Rose, WI; Jane Slater, Appleton, WI; Jill Inda (Brian Heldt), Athens, WI; JoAnn Jones (John) Holden, Wild Rose, WI; son, Jay (Melissa) Jones, Poy Sippi, WI; grandchildren: Colleen (Michael) Jueds, Orlando, FL; Ellen (Ben) Koenig, Gilbert, AZ; Nicholas Prasch, Wild Rose, WI; Christopher Slater (Karen), Appleton, WI; Katie (Curtis) Jones, Paducah, KY; Scott (Elizabeth) Inda, Eldorado, WI; Sarah Inda (Josey), North Fond du Lac, WI; Megan (Eric) Cloninger, Wausau, WI; Jessica Holden (Mike), Wild Rose, WI; Emily, Ethan, and Erica Jones, Poy Sippi WI; great-grandchildren: Ryan and Emma Jueds; Nathaniel, Abigail, and Matthew Koenig; Caylah Jones; Bradley Lawson; Isaac, Jonah, Levi, and Asher Cloninger; Aryia, Hayden, and Josie Dahl. Also survived by: sister, Bess (Bernie) Alberg; brother, Dave (Beverly) Jones; brother-in-law, George Emmerich; sister-in-law, Verla Jones. Preceded in death by: parents, James O. and Margaret Enid Jones; spouses, June Irene Jones and Elaine Boyce Jones; siblings: James “Orval” Jones, Robert “Bob” Jones, Margaret Emmerich, and Ann Drottz; grandson, Matthew Prasch; and sons-in-law, Thomas Prasch and Anthony Slater.
There will be a visitation Friday, August 27, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Wild Rose where a Masonic Service by Lodge No. 148 of Wautoma will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.. A visitation will also be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Wild Rose Presbyterian Church followed by A Service of Witness to the Resurrection at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will take place following the service on Saturday at Caersalem Cemetery in the Town of Springwater where full military honors will be performed. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Wild Rose Presbyterian Church Be Hope Fund, or a charity of your choice. The Holly Funeral Home of Wild Rose is assisting the family with arrangements.
A special thank-you to Heartland House, Agnesian Hospice Hope, and the Wild Rose Hospital for all of their help and support given to our family. The special care John received will never be forgotten.