Virginia A. Jones was born at Hanover, Illinois, September 26, 1923, one of five children born to John Bentley and Viola Morris Harkness and was the only one of her siblings not born in Eastern Montana.  Her parents homesteaded in Montana where they lived in a log cabin before the family moved to Illinois where she grew up and attended school.  After her marriage, she lived with her parents in Illinois as her husband enlisted in the Navy during World War II.  During the war, Virginia worked at an ordnance plant there.

Virginia died Tuesday evening, October 4, 2016, shortly after arrival at Hiawatha Community Hospital.  She had been a resident of Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha for several years.

Mrs. Jones was a lifetime member of First Christian Church of Hiawatha; the ladies auxiliary to VFW Post #5210 of Hiawatha; and White Hall Social Club.

She married Howard Jones July 6, 1940 at Dubuque, Iowa.  After the War, they moved to Ottawa prior to moving to northeast Kansas where they settled in Hiawatha and raised their family.  She worked as a waitress for the Nokomis Restaurant, prior to working at Hohnbaum Bakery, and Neil Albee family market, all of Hiawatha. Howard Died November 6, 1994. Interesting to note, her great-great grandfather was Daniel Boone.

Virginia was also preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Judy Jones March 20, 2008, Rhonda in infancy; and a brother.

Survivors include three sons:  John Howard “Butch” (Diane) Jones of Wichita, Earl (Carol) Jones of Hiawatha, Bill Jones of Hamlin; a sister Jackie Murphy of Vancouver, WA; six grandchildren, with numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  

A Celebration of Virginia’s life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, October 8, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha, with Reverend Dennis Alan Fullbright, officiating.  Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 12 noon Friday.  The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services Saturday.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St, Hiawatha, 66434.

Online condolences may be made to www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com