Mary Jones

Mary Cecilia Jones, 95, of Rockford, Illinois passed away peacefully in her sleep Thursday, August 25, 2011 at Wesley Willows Retirement Center in Rockford, Illinois. Mary was born June 26, 1916 in Hillsboro, North Dakota, the daughter of Fred Hager and Mary Staska Hager. She graduated from Owatonna High School and took education courses to become a teacher. She married Rex Jones on June 10, 1940 at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Owatonna, MN. The couple lived in California, Minnesota, Illinois, Texas, and Wisconsin. Following retirement they enjoyed fishing on the Willow Flowage in Wisconsin and traveling to Hawaii, Florida and cruises in the Caribbean. Mary loved children and spent many years teaching in one room schools houses in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She also worked as a dental assistant in Monroe Wisconsin. After retirement, Mary amp; Rex were volunteer tutors in grade schools in Texas where they spent their winters. They were honored for tutoring for over ten years. Mary also loved gardening, playing cards and bingo, and going to musical events and the theater. She was always eager to participate in new adventures and encouraged others to go as well. In June of 2008 she took her entire family including her grandchildren and great grandchildren on an Alaskan cruise. Marys daily routine always included physical exercise, walking and reading from the bible. Survivors include her son, Wayne (Janet) Jones of Loves Park, IL; daughter, VeLoris (Jim) White of Bargersville, IN; sisters, Bonnie Grazier and VeLoris Fine of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Timothy (Cassie) Blankenhorn of Lawrenceburg, IN, Renee (Shawn) Prine Rockford, Illinois, and Michelle Jones of Loves Park, IL; great grandchildren, Samuel Blankenhorn, Emily Blankenhorn and Jack Blankenhorn of Lawrenceburg IN, and Logan Jones Prine of Rockford, IL and greatgreatgrandchild, Lily Blankenhorn of Lawrenceburg, IN. Preceded in death by her husband Rex, her parents, and sisters and brothers: Francis Sanders, Fred Hager, Maxine Anderson, Rudolf (Bud) Hager. Funeral service Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Chads Episcopal Church 6245 N. Second St. Loves Park, IL. Visitation Wednesday, August 31, from 5 7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL. Graveside services will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. in Havana Township Cemetery near Owatonna, MN. In lieu of flowers memorials to St. Chads Episcopal Church.