Marie E. Jones: 1919 – 2009
Marie E. Jones, 90, a former resident of Churubusco and Fort Wayne and more recently of Columbia City, died at 4:15 p. m. on Friday, May 29, 2009, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Columbia City following a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Jones was born in Thorncreek Township in Whitley County on February 11, 1919, and spent her formative years there. On June 18, 1938 she was married in Columbia City to Virgil W. Jones. She lived in Fort Wayne from 1941 until 1985 when she moved to Churubusco.
Employed in the cafeteria at ARA Food Services in Fort Wayne, she retired from there in 1984 after 15 years. She volunteered as a chaplain’s assistant at Whitley County Hospital for several years, and had been a dedicated volunteer for the Whitley County Health Department’s Well Child Clinic. In 1998 she received the Whitley County Heart of Gold award for her years of volunteer service.
In addition, she had worked as an attendant at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco for 13 years until moving to Columbia City in 1998.
She was a member of Believer’s Bible Fellowship in Churubusco, the Green Township Home Economics Club, and had also attended the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene. Her quiet and unassuming spirit of love and devotion will always be remembered by her family and all who knew her.
Mr. Jones preceded her in death unexpectedly on May 14, 1958.
The surviving relatives include her daughters Sue (Bill) Lewis of Churubusco, Marilyn Messmann of Columbia City, and Sharon (Ron) Kelley of Deep Gap, N. C; a brother Marshall Smith of Columbia City; seven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren, and two step-great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters Mildred Downing and Mabel L. Smith; and by a son-in-law Dennis Messmann.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Pastor Rick Van Horn, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Monday from 2 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the services Tuesday morning.
Interment will be in the Nolt Cemetery, Columbia Township.
For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Whitley County Well Child Clinic or to Parkview Home Health & Hospice.
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To leave a condolence for the family in Mrs. Jones’ memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .
May 30th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
To All of Marie’s Family – Angels on Earth are few and far between, but Marie was surely one of them. Her quiet manner and her Christ-like dedication to others will always endear her in our hearts. Please rest assured that we are here to walk beside you as you journey through this difficult time in the next few days and in the days ahead. Jeanine and I, as well as our sons and staff convey our fondest wishes and deepest sympathy to all of you.
Greg Childs
May 31st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
When I first came into the Downing family over 20 years ago, Aunt Marie and her sister, Aunt Mabel Smith, welcomed me with open arms. Any family functions we all attended I tried my best to sit by them. Aunt Marie was a very sweet lady and I will always remember her kindnesses to me. I am sure she has touched the hearts of a many, many others as she has always touched mine. Today the other angels in Heaven are singing praises to welcome her Home as she has already earned her “wings”. God bless you always, Aunt Marie. Jo
June 1st, 2009 at 7:28 am
Marilyn and Family
I know its hard to realize now, but she is in a much better place. I will always remember her smile. Dan and my prayers and thoughts are with you.
May God Bless And Keep You Always.
Love,
Liz Sponaugle
June 1st, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I was sorry to learn about the death of Marie. I first knew her in l937 when she came to work for my parents following the birth of my younger brother. We have kept in contact through the years. Over 30 years aago, upon my return from the hospital following an accident, she and her sister Mable came to visit at our home and brought me some cookies. I am sorry not to be able to come to the funeral home to pay my respects as I will be out of town the first week in June.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Dear Sue and other family members – How well I remember both you and your dear mother from days long ago at Harvester Missionary Church in Fort Wayne. Your mother always displayed a sweet disposition and was loved and respected by all who knew her. We visited her a few times in Churubusco when my sister, Burdella Downing, would visit me from California. My sympathy to all. A mother can never be replaced and will always be missed. God bless you all during this time of bereavement.
Connie Lee
June 1st, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Aunt Marilyn and Family,
I’m sorry for your family’s loss. You’re in mine and Amy’s thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Teddy
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Sharon and Family
Just read in the paper about the loss of your Mom. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. It is never easy to lose a loved one. The weeks ahead will be hard but the memories that you are feeling right now will live on. Those memories will help make the days ahead more peaceful in your heart. The Lord be with you all during this time.
A friend of the past,
Bev