John Jones

John Lee Jones Sr. was born July 18, 1951 to James Lawrence Jones Sr and Caroline Beverly “Scott-Parlier” Jones in rockfalls Whiteside County, Illinois. He was particularly happy to say he was born at home. He was welcomed into the family by his sister Mary Seipts, and brother, James Jr. Later the three of them welcome their younger sister Vicky (now Lidemann), into their little circle of siblings. John‘s parents later went their separate ways and John became the stepson of Barbara Davis Jones and the stepbrother of Lori (now Nelson), Sheri (now Krohn) and Dave (Kathy) Davis.

He attended the Harlem school district schools graduating from Harlem high school in 1969. He held his school years and friends always close to his heart. On February 8, 1974 he joined the Midwest Operating Engineers Local 150 out of which he primarily ran the curb machine, belt placer and paver. He helped lay a whole lot of concrete to create and redo the roads of the Rockford area as well as other locations while representing Sjostrom and Sons, when you heard him say “nice road isn’t it” you knew he paved it. He was looking forward to receiving his 50 year certificate this summer. He cherished the group of guys and gals he worked alongside of.

Married Marsha McGrew on February 20, 1971 in Loves Park Illinois. together they had two sons John Jones Jr, who married Kay Rankin, and has a stepson, Zander Eisele; Joshua A. Jones who gave John two of his greatest gifts, Keira Jones and Phoebe Jones. After Marsha and John went their, separate ways he married Jill Blalock, Bartelmey on January 21, 1995, and acquired two step children; Ray, (Tony Beall) Birbilas and Sheila Birbilas-Romey. Through Sheila he was presented with three step grand grandchildren whom he never put the label “step” on. They are Joshua Spencer and twins, Brooklyn and Madyson Romey, his godson (nephew), James Powers, sister-in-law, Pam Jones also held a special place in his heart, as well as all his other nieces and nephews. And how dare we forget about his four legged cat companion Saucey.

All above family members survive him except his parents, his brother, his brother-in-law and best friend, James Lindemann, and his step-grandson, Joshua.