Shirley Beatrice Jones

Shirley spent her early childhood in Ripley Michigan where she has many fond memories. Later she went to live with her Aunt and Uncle, Clark and Nan Hallock where she graduated from Baldwin H.S. in Birmingham, Michigan. Shirley attended Northern Michigan University, before shipping out to Ethiopia in her early twenties where she was an Office Administrator for the State Department of the United States. Upon her return home she was married to Roy Jones. Together they raised three children. Shirley worked for many years at the former League for Human Services (Michigan League for Public Policy), she was a lifelong advocate for the developmentally disabled often spending time volunteering for the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC). She was a member of Redeemer Church of Lansing for over 30 years.

Shirley enjoyed traveling including a trip to Finland and exploring her Finnish heritage, she was a member of the Palos Verdes and Lansing Scandinavian Societies. After retirement Shirley spent many years living in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, where she was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. As her health began to decline she returned to Michigan and lived many years at Grand Haven Manor before returning to her home on Renee Street where she quietly passed on.

Shirley was preceded in death her parents; Hjelmer & Marie Eilola, brother; Mathew Eilola, sister; Eunice Savage and son; Mathew Jones. Shirley leaves behind her brother Robert Eilola, children Mark (Kathryn nee: Acuna) Jones, Marie Simmons and Dianne Pohja,, Grandchildren; Bethany Simmons, Angela (Jarrod) Koernke, Brion Simmons, Benjamin (Amanda nee: Smith) Jones, Caitlin Jones-Ryan(Peter), Robert Jones, Madrid Pohja, great-grandchildren; Matthew Koernke, Kurstina Simmons, Aariyanna Koernke, Alyanah Simmons, Jack Bullard, Jacen Koernke, Faith Simmons, Jordan Koernke, Brayden Koernke, Addison Jones, Charlene Jones, Royce Ryan and Calvin Jones, and Great-great granddaughter Aubree Koernke. Shirley touched many lives and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Please join her family for visitation Thursday, January 19, 2017 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing Michigan. Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2017 at Redeemer Church, 2727 W. Holmes Rd. Lansing with visitation one hour prior.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com.