John Edward Jones, 87, of Davenport, IA, passed away on December 30, 2023 at the University of Iowa Hospital. VISITATION HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO INCLIMATE WEATHER. A funeral service celebrating John's life will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2023, also at Weerts Funeral Home. John will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 26.
John was born on December 16, 1936 in Davenport, Iowa to parents Elsie (Schmidt) and Frank Jones. After graduating from Davenport Central High School, John enlisted in the United States Army in 1956. Upon discharge from the Army, John began his career in carpentry. He worked for Priester Construction until retiring on August 1, 1989. John was a lifelong member of the Carpenters Local Union #4. He became an honorary member in 2004.
On June 15, 1968, John joined Shirley Jones in married union in Rock Island, IL. Shirley preceded him in death on November 5, 1991.
Within and beyond his career, John was a people person. He found comradery with his carpenter buddies, and friends weekly for Euchre games at the local bar. John's gentle, caring, and lovable soul made everyone feel welcome. While a man of few words, there was meaning when he spoke and his loved ones felt it. John also knew how to have fun. In his later years, he travelled down to Port Isabel, TX with Donna every December, where they enjoyed the company of friends at parties and other community events. Together, they travelled often and made a point to decorate their golf cart for each holiday. John frequently brought his beloved dog buddies, Rambo and then Zippy, along for a ride in the golf cart. John's presence and impact in this world can simply not be expressed in just a few paragraphs. His physical presence may be gone, but his love is everlasting.
Those left to carry on John's memory, Donna O'Neal Jones; daughter, Diane Muno; step-daughter, Connie Jasper; Donna's son, Michael (Samantha) Ridenour; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Spencer) Rushin, John (Jennifer) Dennhardt, Joseph (Chelsea) Dennhardt; Donna's grandson, Ryan Ridenour; great-grandchildren, David, Emmett, Maxwell, Sullivan, and many lifelong friends from the United States and Canada.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Elsie and Frank Jones; wife, Shirley Jones; step-son, Gary Vandemore, and his siblings, William Jones, Frankie Kroeger, and Minnie Radabaugh.