Willard Gale Jones

Willard Jones, 91, passed away on December 6, 2015 at the CHI Health Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola with military honors and burial in the Mineola Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood. Memorial fund has been established. Loess Hills Funeral Home of Glenwood in charge of arrangements. Willard Gale Jones, one of four children of Alva Robert and Letha Ilene (Bachman) Jones, was born on May 24, 1924 in Silver City, Iowa. He grew up in Silver City and graduated from high school in 1941. In August, Willard enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Atlantic and the Pacific Theaters of War. He was a member of the first crew assigned to the aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet CV8, when she was commissioned October 20, 1941. The duties of the crew included taking General Doolittle and his bombers as close to Japan as possible; a memorable experience as the men watched the bombers fly off their flight deck. The Hornet was involved in a number of battles i...[more]

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uding the Battle of Midway Island and was later sunk by the Japanese in the second Battle of Coral Sea in October of 1942. Willard was able to swim away from the sinking Hornet. He was then assigned to the USS Crescent City, an amphibious attack transport whose crew was involved in all landing of troops on the beaches during island invasions. The ship's motto was "from Guadalcanal to Tokyo without a scratch". Willard was honorably discharged in December of 1946 and during his time of service received the following awards: Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, American Defense SVC Medal with Fleet Clasp, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Silver Star Medal, 3 Bronze Stars, and the Navy Honorable Discharge Button. Following the service, Willard returned to Silver City and began working for Schoening Motors in Mineola, Iowa where he met his future bride. On August 20, 1949, Willard and Fern Marie Roenfeld were united in marriage at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola. They made their lifelong home in Mineola and were blessed with three sons, David Lynn, Robert Alan, and Mark Eugene. Willard worked as a commercial construction electrician for Omaha Electrical and was a member of IBEW Local 22. Willard was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church and served on the church council. He was a member and Past Commander of the Mineola American Legion Post 705. His many enjoyments include spending time with his children and grandchildren, golfing and gardening. Willard passed away on December 6, 2015 at CHI Health Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 91 years, 6 months, and 12 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alva and Letha; and sister Jean Conner and husband Charles. Willard is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Fern Jones of Mineola; sons, David Jones and wife Julie of Oakland, NE, Robert Jones and wife Patti of Lincoln, NE, and Mark Jones and wife Peggy of Columbus, NE; brothers, Roy Jones and wife Joan of Papillion, NE, and Jerry Jones and wife Janet of Silver City, IA; grandchildren, Kristin (Trent) Wolford, Brian (Brenda) Jones, Liz (Dave) Purdham, Katie (Chris) Jeurissen, Emily (Aaron) Roth, Amanda (Matt) Juhnke, Michele Jones, and Melanie Jones; 9 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.