Mary Johanna Jones

Mary Johanna Jones, daughter of the late Hugo Fredrick Geick and Dorothy (Pappenfus) Geick, was born July 27, 1935, in Port Huron, Michigan where she grew up and graduated from Port Huron High School with the Class of 1956. She was reborn as a child of God in the waters of Holy Baptism in August 1935. In April 1949, she was confirmed in the Christian faith and was fed the life-giving body and blood of Jesus. During Mary’s high school years, she began dating a fellow classmate by the name of Jimmie Harold Jones. Shortly after graduation, Jimmie entered the United States Army and came to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for his basic training. After completing his training, he returned to Port Huron and Mary and Jimmie were united in marriage on January 28, 1956. Shortly after their wedding, Jimmie was transferred to Germany, so Mary accompanied him, and they remained in Germany for three years before returning to the States. After returning to the States, Jimmie was stationed in different duty stations: Fort Leonard Wood, Hawaii, North Carolina, Vietnam and finally came back to Fort Leonard Wood where he retired in 1974. Mary and Jimmie decided to remain in the Fort Leonard Wood area, and they raised their four children: Jimmie Jr, Faith, Dawn, and Michael. Mary worked for the Waynesville R-VI School District as a secretary and retired in 1997 after 24 years of faithful service. She enjoyed the camaraderie she had with her co-workers and helping the children in the district. Early in her life, Mary began her faith journey. Her faith was very important to her, and it showed up in every aspect of her life. She loved Jesus dearly and her faith was very strong. She was a faithful member of the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Robert where she was very active and was the church organist for many years. She was always willing to help anywhere she was needed. In her spare time, Mary enjoyed bowling, doing ceramics, reading, playing cards and collecting dolls. Other than her faith, the most important thing in her life was her family. She loved them dearly and enjoyed spending time with them as much as possible. Mary went home to be with her Lord on Friday, July 5, 2024, in the Mercy Hospital of Springfield having attained the age of 88 years. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved her. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Jimmie Jones, Jr. of Devil’s Elbow, MO, Faith Dunn (Tom) of Devil’s Elbow, MO, Dawn Cleeton (William) of Kauai, Hawaii, and Michael Jones (Michelle) of Devil’s Elbow, MO; eleven grandchildren: Jessica Reed (Asa), Brett Jones, Melanie Burns (Michael), Patrick Dunn, Tyler Cleeton (Hope), Kyle Cleeton, Ryan Cleeton, Dylan Cleeton (Angie), Roxanna Jones, Rachel Delong, and Jonathon Anderson; fourteen great-grandchildren: Asa, Paul, Tessa, Noah, Nevaeh, Nivek, Dominic, Bianca, Ricky, Owen, Johanna, Matt, Aidan, and Elizabeth; her sister: Shirley Nichols of Port Huron, MI; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband: Jimmie Jones; one brother: Donald Geick; two sisters: Betty Lazurka and Dorothy Alexander; and one granddaughter: Kimberly Dawn Cleeton. Even though she is gone from our sight, Mary’s strong faith and commitment to family will live on in our hearts forever. Services were held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 11, 2024 in the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Robert, Missouri with Pastor John Perling officiating. Melanie Burns, Mary’s granddaughter, sang “I Can Only Imagine” and the congregation sang “Abide With Me”, “Heaven Is My Home”, “Beautiful Savior” and “Like a River”. Mary’s daughter, Faith, recalled her wonderful memories of her mom and serving as escorts were Mary’s grandchildren. Honorary escorts were Dan Boorom, Keith Kubinski, Chris Myers, Dennis Engstrom, Leroy Tronstad, Steve Lund, and Ron Hinchman. Burial followed in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville. Services were under the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mary Jones to the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Mary Johanna Jones

July 27, 1935 - July 5, 2024