Francis Jones
Francis
Jones
Francis Jones, 92, died on Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 20, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Springfield with Pastor Julie Smith officiating. Interment will be in the Springfield City Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Sturm Funeral Home, and will continue on Saturday at St. Johns Church from 9:30 until time of services.
Francis Edward Jones was born August 16, 1923, in Beaver Falls Township to Frank and Emma (Rogers) Jones. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Springfield. Francis farmed in Morgan and Brookville Townships all of his adult life except for the two years he spent serving with the U.S. Navy during World War II. The war ended two days before his birthday. He married Gladys Schulz on September 20, 1946, at St. Paul Lutheran in Springfield. They farmed the family farm until his retirement in 1981 and built a new home in Springfield and moved to town in 1991. Francis was a member of John Watson Post 257 American Legion. As a member of the Legion Honor Guard, he took pride in presenting the American flag to families of service men and women. He served on the board of directors of the Redwood Electric Association (REA), Clements, and Harvest Land Cooperative, the ASC committee, the councils of St. John and Brookville Lutheran Churches, and served as head usher at St. Johns Lutheran Church. Francis and Gladys wintered in Arizona for 16 years which he thoroughly enjoyed. They enjoyed traveling, making it to all 50 states plus Canada and Germany. Francis was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and also enjoyed woodworking, playing cards with his many friends, and going fishing.
He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Gladys; daughter Barbara (Jim) Hakes of Deerwood, son Dennis (Pam) Jones of Lowry, daughter Peggy (John) Korf of St. Cloud; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Francis was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold, Cecil, Lenny, Lloyd and Ted; and sister. Nellie.
Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield. On line condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.