Melvin Jones

God called Melvin Jones to his heavenly home on June 24, 2021 at the age of 68.

Melvin was born at his home in Rend City on September 18, 1952, to Henry and Rosalee Jones.  He grew up on their small farm with his four siblings: Alice, Holly, John and Joy.  As a young boy he learned the value of hard work and play.  He was very active in 4-H and Rend City Baptist Church.  Melvin was saved when he was 11 and soon after baptized in a lake where they had to break the ice.

Melvin married June Dungy on June 8, 1974 and built their home east of Benton. Together they had four children: Nathan, Joshua, Rachel and Rebecca.  He enjoyed taking his family on outdoor adventures and making memories in God’s creation.

Melvin worked at General Tire for 30 years and always stayed busy. His hobbies included: construction and woodworking, hunting and fishing, music and storytelling, canoeing and hiking, horseback riding, golfing, church softball, remote-control airplanes, traveling, working with his goats and cows, four-wheeling in the Rockies, and flying his powered parachute.  He drove Leonard Weaver’s tour bus for the Amish.  He enjoyed sharing the Gospel with children as “Cowboy Melvin” and volunteering at church camps on his horse Amigo.  Through the years he Pastored churches, sang in a quartet, led Children’s Church, taught Sunday School, and served God in many ways.

He really enjoyed bow-hunting and taking people to the Rocky Mountains.  He went to Colorado 25 times to camp and hunt for elk.  Melvin taught many fellows how to live on the wild side while camping.  He loved to start new adventures.  After Melvin’s retirement in 2013 he was excited to volunteer at the Ark Encounter in Kentucky.  He helped build inside the Ark and told many people around the world that “Jesus is our Ark today to save us from destruction.”

Melvin was never one to let the grass grown under his feet.  He and June traveled extensively to see grandchildren in Alabama, meet new friends in Florida, see the West Coast and many other places, including a 12,000 mile 75 day trip to Alaska in their motor home.

Melvin’s life-long dream of flying was finally realized at the age of 63 when he purchased a powered parachute and took to the air.  Many people enjoyed seeing his chute gliding overhead.  He has flown on ahead to heaven and blazed a trail for his family he has left behind.  He will be sorely missed by his wife, June, children: Nathan and Carrie Jones of Alabama, Joshua Jones of Benton, Rachel and Richard Moore of Benton and Rebecca and Joshua Ice of Mt. Vernon and his siblings: Alice and Dave Hunt, Holly and Bill Ing, John and Carla Jones, and Joy and Jamie Willis.  He will be lovingly remembered by his 20 grandchildren.  Melvin left a legacy of faith and love of family that his children hope to follow.

Funeral services for Melvin Jones will be held at 3 P.M. Thursday, July 1st at the Whittington Church with Rev. Mark Minor and Rev. Bryant Harris officiating.  Burial will be in the Phillips Cemetery-Ewing, IL.  Visitation will be after 1 P.M. on Thursday at the Whittington Church.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made in Melvin’s memory to Samaritan’s Purse-Operation Christmas Child, and will be accepted at the Whittington Church or at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.  Please make the checks payable to June Jones.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

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