Junior Leroy Jones, 86, of Bellefontaine, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2020, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born May 28, 1933, in Doniphan, Mo., he was the second of five children of James Fielding and Rosa Gladys (Hatfield) Jones.
Following the death of his parents, he was raised by his grandmother, Myrtle Mae Hatfield. Junior moved to Bellefontaine in July 1949. He graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1953. On Feb. 7, 1953, he married Carol Sue (McGinnis) and together they were the proud parents of eight children.
Junior and Carol attended the First United Methodist Church, Bellefontaine for many years. Junior retired from Westinghouse in 1986 after 33 years of service when the plant closed and was one of two employees who locked the doors for the final time. Junior went on to a career as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service where he retired for a second time in 1996.
Junior will be remembered as a beloved father, grandfather and a friend to many. Junior loved to work outside where he would tinker with small engines. Many will fondly remember him for the work he did on their lawnmowers. Junior loved his family and it gave him no greater pleasure than to have as many of his kids as possible join him every time he went out to a restaurant to eat.
Junior is survived by Carol, his wife of 67 years, and their eight children: Cynthia (Ronald) Irick of West Liberty, Sharon (Tony) Ganson of Bellefontaine, Janet Fonner of Hilliard, Gary (Valerie) Jones of Plain City, Linda (Robert) Fultz, Alan (Lori) Jones and Nancy (Michael) Penny, all of Bellefontaine, and Jeffrey (Michelle) Jones of Hilliard; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; his sisters Maxine Louise Payne of DeSoto, Mo., and Rosa Violet Steen of Ferguson, Mo.; and, many loving nieces and nephews.
He is previously deceased by his parents, brother and sister-in-law James Edward (Geraldine) Jones, sister and brother-in-law Myrtle Ann (Leonard Eugene) Brown, brothers-in-law Elice Austin Payne and Howard (Junior) Steen.
Out of caution and respect for family and friends during these unusual times, a private interment will take place in Highland Memorial Gardens, West Liberty. A Celebration of Life Service for all family and friends will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, contributions may be sent to their local place of worship in Junior’s name, or the charity of your choice.
In accordance with his wishes, the family has entrusted the arrangements to the Jennings Farley & Seeley Funeral Home & Crematory, West Liberty. Please visit www.jenningsfarley.com to leave a memory or condolences for Junior’s family.