James Larkin Jones

James Larkin Jones, 73, passed away at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, 2006, at home surrounded by his family.

James, the son of William L. "Bill" and Vesta Beatrice (Barringer) Jones, was born in Johnson County in 1933.

He was united in marriage to Betty June Webb on Sept. 1, 1951, in Piggott, Ark. They recently celebrated their 55th Wedding anniversary with their family.

James was a self-employed plumber, and opened his business, Jones Plumbing and Heating, in 1960. He ran the business for nearly 40 years near his home, six miles south of Marion. James began his plumbing career as a plumbing contractor doing residential plumbing. In later years, James not only worked in his home community, but many communities throughout a five state area doing pressure taps on water, gas and steam lines. The business continues today, owned and operated by his son, Dennis Jones.

James also owned and operated Jones Land and Cattle Co. This business started as a weekend hobby with one cow and 40 acres. The business grew to a 50 heard, cow-calve operation that included a feedlot where calves were finished out and sold to local packing plants and individual customers.

His farming business also included a hog operation.

James was a member of the Plumbers and Pipe Fitter Local Union 551 of West Frankfort, and the Elks Lodge 800 BOPE of Marion.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Jones of Marion; his three children and two daughters-in-law, James Randolph "Randy" and Gail Jones, Dixie Darlene (Jones) Handel and Dennis Duane and Patricia "Pat" Jones, all of Marion; five grandchildren and spouses, Tara (Handel) and Joel Weinhold of Canton, Ga., Julie Jones of Bloomington, Jennifer Handel of Allston, Mass., Nathan and Michelle Jones of San Diego, Calif., and Megan Jones of Marion; two great-grandchildren, Kyle Andrew Weinhold and Lindsey Grace Weinhold; three brothers and their wives, George and Mary Jones, Bill and Judy Jones, all of Marion, and Delbert and Joann Jones of St. Charles; many nephews, nieces and other extended family members, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, William Lavell Jones; and a grandson, Christopher James Jones on July 19, 2003.

Arrangements for James L. Jones have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home of 900 North Court Street in Marion.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Today at the funeral home. The Marion Elks Lodge 800 will conduct the Elks service at 6 p.m. Sunday, at the close of the time of visitation.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home in Marion, with Rev. Kenny Blumenstock officiating.

Graveside service and interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Johnson County.

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to "Hospice of Southern Illinois" and mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a ride!"