Jerald Jones

Jerald Jones, 78, of Robinson, IL, passed away peacefully at home with loved ones surrounding him on March 7, 2024, at 10:40 a.m. He was born on November 13, 1945, in Palestine, IL, to Gordon Jones & Twila (Wheat) Jones, along with his twin brother Harold E. Jones. They were welcomed by a brother, Russell Jones.

His industrious journey through life began as a young boy, doing his part to put food on the table for his family. Throughout his working years, there were few times when he wasn't juggling multiple jobs, a testament to his incredible work ethic. When he married Bridgeport, IL native Novella "Polly" Wireback on October 28, 1963, he was working for Roy Woods, who drove a semi and hauled products for American Dairy. By 1964, he was working at Lonn's Marathon across from the shoe factory. In August of 1966, Jerald went to work at General Carbon, UCAR CARBON, and Union Carbide, where he stayed until 1994, when the plant closed. In between, he worked for Lark Painting at Marathon and Victor Dana. In 1995, RCI became the carbon plant, and he found employment there until 1997. Off and on, he worked for Steve Jenkins for over 10 years and was also employed by Niehaus for a little over 18 years. He also farmed for Vendall Kamplain & Gary Lowther, work which he truly enjoyed. His co-workers often referred to him affectionately as "Jonesy," a nickname that exemplified the camaraderie and respect he earned over the years.

Outside of work, Jerald's life was rich with interests and hobbies. Known for growing the best tomatoes you'd ever get the chance to eat, his garden was a source of pride and joy, and the delicious fruits of his labor were generously shared. His helpful nature extended beyond just gardening; Jerald was the quintessential handyman who never hesitated to assist others with car repairs or home remodeling, even after a 16-hour workday. His love for the open road saw him and Polly exploring locations from Texas to Nashville, creating cherished memories on their Honda Goldwing motorcycle. Back home, Jerald's thoughtful heart led him to welcome several neighborhood stray cats into his home in his later years, which no one could have seen coming! A man of faith, he was a former member of the First Baptist Church and, more recently, Highland Church of Christ.

Above all, Jerald was a family man. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, and a doting grandfather who eagerly shared his skills with his grandkids, showing them how to work on cars and tend a garden. His grandkids and great-granddaughter in particular brought him immense joy, and they deeply cherished the time spent with him as well. Jerald's devotion to his family was his greatest attribute, and his actions always echoed the values of selflessness, love, and passion.

As we bid farewell to Jerald Jones, we remember a man whose life was a testament to hard work, compassion, and an unyielding commitment to his loved ones. His memory will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Polly Jones; his daughters, Lori Jones & Karen Nussmeier (Terre Haute, IN) and Angela Lawhead (Terre Haute, IN); his grandchildren, Zach Lawhead & Emily Clark, Logan Lawhead, and Austin Lawhead; his great-granddaughter, Amara Lawhead; his former son-in-law, Jerry Lawhead; his aunts, Virginia Stark and Marvine Wheat; his sister-in-law, Vivian Jones; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Jones (1994) and Twila Jones (2008); and by his brothers, Harold Jones (2000) and Russell Jones (2019).

Jerald’s family would like to extend a special “thank you” to family friend and hospice nurse Tammy Cherry.

A time of visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. A memorial service will immediately follow and be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, with his nephew, Paul Jones officiating. During the service, family and friends will have the opportunity to share their favorite memories of Jerald. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream .

A private family burial will be in the Westlawn Cemetery in Newton, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Crawford County Humane Society", with memorial envelopes available at the funeral home.