Idella Marie Jones Obituary (1923 - 2014)

Idella Marie Jones, 91, of Decatur died at 11:00 a.m. (Apr. 3, 2014) at St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur. A service to celebrate Idella's life will be held Monday, April 7, at 1:00 p.m. at Dawson and Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home at 515 W. Wood Street in Decatur. A time of visitation will precede the service at 12:00. Burial will be at Point Pleasant Cemetery. The family requests that a donation be made to the Operation Enduring Support, based at Grace United Methodist Church, in lieu of flowers. Idella was born on January 6, 1923 in Mt. Zion. She was the daughter of Ernest and Clara Pfister Phelps. On October 19, 1942, she married Chester Eugene "Gene" Jones. Idella was a homemaker. Surviving are her children: Rachel Hill of Plano, Texas, Irene (Doug) McCoskey of San Antonio, Texas, LaVonne (Ron) Chaney of Shelbyville, IL, Loretta (Bill) Layton of Argenta, IL, Carol Nixon of Converse, Texas, Margaret (Gary) Warnick of Columbus, Ohio, Jennifer (Steve) Nihiser of Maroa, IL, and Sonny (Andrea) Jones of Bourbonnais, IL. Also surviving are her sister Mary Catherine Duckett of Shafter, California, 21 grand children, 17 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild, and many nieces and nephew with special thanks to niece Robin Jones Bowman. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters: Evelyn and Virginia, brothers Bernie and Ernie, and one grandchild Dawn. Idella was so often referred to as "our Idella" because she was so loved by the people around her, especially the friends at St. Mary's Hospital where she went for rehabilitation. While her children grew up, she was the "go to" mom for all of her children and their friends. Her greatest loves were her children and grandchildren. Many younger people have said they want to grow up to be just like her. She loved to read, watch western movies and NASCAR races, and have lunch with friends and family. Messages of condolences may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.