Vernie Jones Jr.

Vernie “Gene” Jones, Jr. , of Bethany, IL, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019, at 10:38 p.m., at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 5, 2019, at First General Baptist Church, Decatur.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Burial will be in Boiling Springs Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Memorials may be made to First General Baptist Church or New Life Pregnancy Center.

Vernie was born March 7, 1941, in Marion County, Illinois, the youngest of nine children born to Vernie and Ada (Wooley) Jones. He married Paula (Merritt) on May 29, 1963. They were happily married until her passing on June 25, 2001. He was blessed to marry the second great love of his life – Alice (Calhoun) on May 15, 2004.

Above all, he loved God and others. He served faithfully at the First General Baptist Church in Decatur for 55 years. After retiring from Caterpillar, he filled his days creating in his woodshop.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernie and Ada; wife, Paula; siblings, Teddy Jones, Violet Spencer, Mary Alice Tockstein, Jewel Chandler, and Bill Jones; and step-daughter, Teri Calhoun.

He is survived by his wife, Alice (Calhoun) Jones; sisters, Beaulah Prosise, Leota Fury, and Freda Jennings; children, Joanna (Tom) Price, James (Kona), and Jerry (LaWanda); and step-children, Rick Calhoun, Monte Calhoun, Donna Gerber, and Leann (Randy) Tolan.

Together, he and Alice share 21 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com.