"Sending our heartfelt sympathy to your family. How comforting to know that Almighty God will give your family needed strength to face today.-Ps.55:22."
John Robert Jones, one of two children of Marilla Isable (Ernest) and Ransom W. Jones, was born on January 4, 1925 in Oakland, Iowa. Fondly known as "Bob", he attended rural school at Washington Township and high school at Oakland. He enjoyed participating in all sports and graduated in 1942. In the fall of 1942, he attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, MO for a semester and then returned home to help with the farming. In June of 1944, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served aboard a troop transport until June of 1946. Bob and Onnolee B. Killion were married on June 29, 1947. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Roger and Jill. They had been married ten years when Onnolee passed away in December of 1957.
Bob and Roberta Darlene (O'Brien) Smith were married on March 4, 1958 in Omaha, NE. They made their home on his farm near Oakland, IA and his family grew to include Roberta's children, Fred, Diann and Susie. Bob farmed and was a livestock producer from 1947 to his retirement in 1973. He sold cars for Davenport Motors in Oakland and in 1975, he and Roberta moved to Rockport, TX. Bob worked at Bakers Marine on oil rigs for five years. In 1983, they sold their Texas home and moved to Macedonia, IA where Bob was caretaker of Aqua Farms. Bob and Roberta enjoyed camping and traveling throughout the United States. He loved fishing and raising Appaloosa horses. His love of horses lasted a lifetime and he had endless energy when it was time for parades and horse shows. Bob served on the Pottawattamie County Planning & Development Board for nine years and was member and past commander of the Macedonia Ruby Smith American Legion Post 648. He was a member of the Oakland VFW Post 5949 for over 50 years. He and Roberta had been married 43 years, when Roberta passed away on February 24, 2002.
Bob was a big supporter of the Macedonia and Oakland communities. He was a very caring and compassionate person, loving and supporting of his family, and a caretaker to his friends. He would drive them to doctor appointments, to the grocery store or where ever they needed to go. He also enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels.
Bob passed away at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital on September 9, 2008, at the age of 83 years, 8 months, and 5 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Onnolee; his second wife Roberta; an infant sister; his sister Victorine Pierce and husband Eldred; son Fred Jones; son-in-law Warren Fahrenkrog; and granddaughter Stephanie Jones.
Bob is survived by his children, Roger Jones and wife Nancy of Council Bluffs, daughters Jill Fahrenkrog of Carson, IA; Diann Larimore and husband Mervin of Oakland, IA and Susie Von Weihe and husband Gary of Council Bluffs; daughter-in-law Karen Jones of Omaha; 12 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; other relatives and many friends.
Private Interment at Fairview Pioneer Cemetery
Memorials suggested to Oakland First Congregational Church and Macedonia Fire and Rescue Department.
"Sending our heartfelt sympathy to your family. How comforting to know that Almighty God will give your family needed strength to face today.-Ps.55:22."
"Robert holds a special place in our hearts. From knowing him when he and I shared delivery of meals, he was such a caring and happy man. Andrew and Sarah loved to visit with him, and Taco and Cricket as well. I know he must have touched so many lives, as he touched ours. Our sincere sympathy to the entire family. I have a prior committment that I am unable to break, but Merlin is making changes in a committment of his to get to the services. May the Lord hold you in his arms in this time of grief, and may memories give you joy. Sharon, Merlin, Andrew,and Sarah"
"Sorry to learn about the death of Robert Jones. This must have been a difficult time for all. Therefore, I am forwarding scripture that will comfort you. Psalms 90:10 says that the usual human life span was 70 or 80 years. This was true when Moses wrote it but not so form the beginning. (compare Genesis 5:3-32.) Hebrews 9:27 says...It is reserved for men to die once for all time. This, too, was true when it was written but not the case before God passed judgment on sinful Adam."