Jean Ann Jones, 66, of Marion, formerly of Boone, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 29, 2017, at her home surrounded by family. In agreement with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at the Boone First United Methodist, located at 703 Arden Street in Boone, where the family will greet friends from 9:00 a.m. until the service time. Private committal services will take place at a later date in Hawaii. Arrangements are in the care of Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Services, in Marion, Iowa.

The following obituary was written by Jean.

I, Jean Ann (Beach) Jones was born on June 3, 1951, in Libertyville, Illinois, to my parents, Charles and Betty Beach. I was embraced by God's spirit on Friday, September 29, 2017.

I lived in Lake Villa, Illinois until the age of 21. Following graduation from Grant Community High School in 1969, I started employment as an Administrative Assistant in the Dental D...[more]

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rtment of the U. S. Navy at Great Lakes, Illinois. I met Michael Jones who would become the love of my life, my husband, and father of our two wonderful children, Kristofer and Jennifer.

Michael and I married on September 2, 1972, and we moved to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. Following his discharge we moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and started our family. On October 18, 1976, we moved to Boone, Iowa.

I loved working side by side with Mike to remodel our house and raising Kris and Jen. I also enjoyed working in our flower and vegetable gardens. Mike and I enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Aruba, Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, and Key West.

While Kris and Jen were growing up I was involved in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, coached Little League for four years, volunteered at the grade school, and was very active in the Lowell-Franklin PTA.

In 1988, I graduated from DMACC and became employed at Iowa State University as an Administrative Assistant for the Business/LAS College Career Services Office for five years before transferring to the Engineering Career Services Office where I worked until August 2004. It was during this time that I realized my true calling was working with the students and helping to guide them as they sought their career paths. Every student I worked with became a part of my inner being. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to gain their friendships.

In January 2005, I started my employment at Lowell School as a second grade teacher associate. After a couple of years, I transferred to Franklin School to work as the third grade para-educator. While living in Marion, I volunteered for three years at Indian Creek Elementary School, where I received an 'Unsung Hero Award'.

I am survived by my husband of 45 years, Michael; son, Kristofer (Barb) Jones; daughter, Jennifer Stamy; five grandchildren, Jostin (22), Jorian (20) and Jevon (19) Jones, and Tatum (5) and Marlo Jean (3) Stamy; and my beloved dachshund, Tucker (7).

If there was a way to summarize my life I would start by saying I loved my parents so very, very much. My father was my rock and my mother was my nurturer. They both taught me that respect and honesty were the highest and most important qualities a person could possess. I always tried to live my life that way and to pass along those words of wisdom to everyone I met. I was very close to my brother Chuck and he helped me through thick and thin and loved me unconditionally. Michael filled my heart with love. My life was also touched by and filled with 1,000's of young friends whom I loved so very much. My entire life revolved around my family. I was so blessed with Mike, my children and my grandchildren and loved each of them with every breath I took each and every day. God was good to me.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that any memorials be directed to them which will support the Jean Jones Scholarship Fund and future recipients.