Nov. 1, 1920 – Nov. 8, 2017
Warren Leigh Jones, the son of Thomas J. and Emma (Hewett) Jones, passed away on November 8, 2017, at the age of 97 years in Worthington, Minn.
Funeral services for Warren Jones were held on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Fenton with Pastor Judy DePue officiating. A visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Full military honors were given by the Fenton American Legion with the burial at the United Methodist Cemetery in Fenton.
He was born on November 1, 1920, in Lime Springs, Ia. He graduated from Lime Springs High School in 1938. In 1943, Warren received his Bachelors of Music and Biological Science Degrees with teaching minors in History and English. In his senior year at Upper Iowa University he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, being called to active duty in June 1943. His training occurred at Parris Island, S.C., and at Quantico. He was honorably discharged in November of 1943.
In January of 1944, Warren accepted a contract to teach instrumental music and science at Waukon, Ia. On June 1, 1944, Warren was united in marriage to Ardis Melton at Palo, Ia. In August 1948 they moved to Scotland, S.D., where he taught instrumental music. After the high school building was gutted by fire in 1950, they moved to Graettinger, where Warren served five years as band director and principal. While there they became parents to two children; Jacquelyn and Gregory. In 1953, he joined the staff of Krafft Music Co. for three years. In 1956, the family moved to Fenton, where Warren faithfully served for 17 years as band director. During his tenure students in large and small instrumental groups and as soloists brought many honors to Sentral Community School.
A change of occupation occurred in 1973 - Warren became assistant manager of Diamond’s Men Clothing Store in Algona. In 1991, he retired after 18 years of employment there. The couple then began spending their winters in Donna, Texas, where they continued their music activities. Warren enjoyed being a member of the Algona Cornbelt Barbershop Chorus for 39 years. In September of 2014, Warren and Ardis moved to The Meadows in Worthington, Minnesota, to be closer to their daughter. Ardis passed away on October 2, 2015. Warren continued to live at The Meadows after her passing.
Left to cherish his memory is his daughter Jackie Weiskircher and her husband, Steve, of Worthington, MN; his son Greg Jones and his wife, Nancy, of Omaha, NE; two granddaughters, Dana Schamberger and her husband, Jason, of Leawood, KS, and Cassandra Jones of Omaha, NE; and great-grandchildren, Ty and Lydia Schamberger. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ardis; and his brother, Carroll.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.