Maurice Jones

Maurice William Jones was born June 7, 1923, to John Preston Jones and Altha (Hull) Jones in O'Neill, Nebraska. Maurice attended grade school in the Meek Community until the 8th grade and then was employed by various farmers in the community until the age of 16 when he was encouraged by his Uncle Guy and Aunt Mamie Jones to move to Chadron, Nebraska where they told him they would find him a job which would pay more than the fifteen dollars per month that he was paid in his home community. Maurice took the train from O'Neill to Chadron and went to work on the Beaver Ranch for Wendell Beaver for $30.00 per month. At the age of 19, Maurice married Lorene Bernice Varvel of Chadron on June 19, 1942 with Lorene's brother, Jim Varvel, as best man, and Jim's fianc�½, Elvera Rasmussen, as bridesmaid. The couple settled in Sheridan County in the Beaver Valley Community on the Sterns' farm where they lived and raised five children. After retiring from farming, Maurice and Lorene moved to Hay Springs, Nebraska where they were both active members of the Hay Springs Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star. Maurice was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge in Hay Springs and was awarded his 60 year membership pin in June of this year. In 2010, Maurice and Lorene moved to Prairie Pines in Chadron, Nebraska. Maurice was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather and always enjoyed showing his grandchildren his farm and cattle. He also enjoyed hunting with his grandsons. In his spare time, Maurice enjoyed having coffee with his "coffee buddies" at the Senior Center in Hay Springs, Nebraska and spent many hours playing bridge and pitch with friends and family. Maurice passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the Crestview Care Center in Chadron, Nebraska. He was 92 years of age. Maurice was preceded in death by his daughter, Teresa (Jones) Poe; brother, James Milo Jones; sisters, Mabel (Jones) Devall, Lucille (Jones) Griffith, Ava (Jones) Crumly; and brother-in-law, Jim Varvel. Survivors include his wife, Lorene, of Chadron, Nebraska; daughter, Sheryl (Melvin) Bruns of Chadron, Nebraska; son, Leonard (Roma) Jones of Fort Collins, Colorado; son, Bernard (Carolyn) Jones of Chadron, Nebraska; daughter, Lois (Bruce) Chizek of Chadron, Nebraska; son-in-law, Robert Poe of Connersville, Indiana; brother, Merle (Karen) Jones of Lincoln, Nebraska; sisters: Edwina Walter of Chambers, Nebraska and Jenine Fridley of Mt. Sterling, Illinois; sister-in-law: Elvera Varvel of Chadron, Nebraska; nine grandchildren: Jay Bruns, Matthew Jones, Jeff Bruns, Marklyn Jones, Jesse Jones, Micah Jones, Roger Jones, Michaela Weedin, and Rebecca Poe; ten great-grandchildren: Caden, Jackson, Ella, Bennett, Carter, Emily, Molly, Meghan, Elizabeth, and Luke; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial has been established for the Chadron or Hay Springs Rescue Units.. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337. �½�½

Service:

Wednesday, August 19, 2015 ~ 10:00 AM

Chamberlain Chapel ~ Chadron, Nebraska



Visitation:

Tuesday, August 18, 2015 ~ 7:00 PM

Chamberlain Chapel ~ Chadron, Nebraska