Howard Richard Jones

Howard Richard Jones

Cotter

Howard was a son, brother, husband, father/dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin, uncle, nephew, Masonic Lodge Brother of over 50 years, Eastern Star member over 50 years, Shriner, Veteran, republican, neighbor, and was a friend to all he knew.

Howard Richard Jones 97, Cotter, Iowa was living in the home he was born in till December 4, 2024, then the Washington United Presbyterian Home,

passed on to his next life's journey of natural causes. He passed peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 14, with love and grace surrounding him.

Friends may call after Wednesday and visitation will be held at the Jones Eden Funeral Home 116 E Main St., Washington, Iowa, from 5 to 7 pm, Friday, February 16. A Masonic service will be held after visitation. The funeral service will be February 17, 10:30 am at the Jones Eden Funeral Home. They are supporting and assisting the family with Howard's final arrangements. Military Rights will be provided by the American Legion Post 100 of Columbus Junction, at the Cemetery after the service. Burial will follow at Cambrian Cemetery South of Cotter and East on Old Whiteway Road, after a drive-by of the Cotter Church, and Jones Family Century Farm.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Cousin Richard Jones, ex sons-in-law Dr. Larry Peck, Colin Tutill. Pallbears will be Nephew Mike Jones, Great-Nephew Andrew Bell, Neighbors Dick Owens, Ivan Arthur, Bob Davis, and Dave Erwin. Officiating and providing music will be Andrew Zuehlke, UP Home Spiritual Life Director.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Howard's honor to the Washington County Hospice or the Columbus Junction Public Library. Special messages and condolences can be left through the Jones Eden website.

Howard was born October 20, 1926 to Mildred V Fisher Jones and David R Jones on the family farm south of Cotter, Iowa. He attended Cotter School, graduating in 1945. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving 18 months in Texas and Ft. Benning, GA, with an honorable discharge in November 1947. He took a year of Tractor Training Classes, and flying lessons, then returned to the farm where he lived on, the now Century Farm, until he and Elsie Marshall married August 24, 1948.

His Uncle John, Aunt Maud Green Jones, and son Richard Lee moved to Cotter from the farm around the corner. Howard and family lived there till New Year’s Day 1962 when he, Elsie and daughter Jane Ann moved back to his birthplace. Howard and Elsie lived there until December 4, 2023, then moved to the Washington United Presbyterian Home. There they enjoyed the company, food, and Howard especially enjoyed the ice cream.

Howard enjoyed raising his farm animals, cattle and hogs, making their own feed, maintaining the farm machinery, planting, spraying, harvesting, traveling with family to Branson, Ozarks, St Louis, MO, Colorado, Florida, Tennessee, Kansas, and Texas; and going to and watching Hawkeye sports. He enjoyed basketball the most. Great memories were made at many holidays and events with his family. Eating out many, many times. Shrimp and French fries were a favorite. All these places made him smile, thank you Unc and Nephs, Panda Palace, 92 Road House, Applebee’s, Village Inn, and Arandas, Wapello, Iowa; but nothing he enjoyed more was visiting with anyone who would listen to any of his life stories.

He was blessed with one brother William Griffith (Margaret Owens), and two sisters the late Harriet Jane, and Dorothy Ann (late Willard Sands), and one cousin Richard Lee Jones (late Karolee Wert) who moved back to his farm around the corner, from Cotter. Howard farmed with Richard for over 65 years. As stewards of the land, they carried on the Jones Brothers Partnership started by their fathers. Dave Erwin and Bob Davis have managed the crops the last few years.

Howard married Elsie Ruth Marshall August 24,1948 in the Methodist Church, Washington, Iowa, the hottest day of the year. Daughter Jane Ann arrived January 29, 1951, one of the coldest days of the year. Howard and Elsie celebrated their 75th Anniversary August 24, 2023.

During his farming years he was a member of the Cotter Presbyterian Church, Louisa County Farm Bureau, Republican Party, Pork Producers, and was a Farmer's Hybrid Seed Corn salesman for a time. A special favorite video was SO GOD MADE A FARMER - Youtube by Paul Harvey.

Howard was a 50+ year member of the Masons. Master of the Masonic Chapters at Ainsworth and after disbanding Washington. He became a member of the KABBA Shrine, and was a member of the Columbus Junction American Legion Post #100. He and Elsie was/are 50-year members of the Eastern Star.

He was raised in the Presbyterian Faith, and as a member, he enjoyed attending and singing at Cotter/Salem Church services regularly until a few years ago. His favorite hymns were Tell me the Old Old Stories and Christ Arose. A favorite Scripture was the 23rd Psalm, and a favorite, special prayer was: “Dear God, many days we face challenges we aren’t prepared for. This is one of those days. Be with those of us that are facing unknown answers because of health reasons. Hope for those who are saying their final good-byes to loved ones. God, give us strength when we are weak, give us faith in fear. Give us power in our powerless moments. Help us to feel your loving arms to ease our cries in time of grief. Give us light in the darkness and help us to rest peacefully at night. All these things we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.” And Howard would say, "Amen."

Missing him are his forever wife Elsie, devoted daughter Jane Ann (significant other Steve Black). Grandson Jason Lee Peck (wife Amie), his two precious great-grandchildren Annalisa 9, and Max 7 all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His brother and family Boulder, Colorado, sister and family Crawfordsville, Iowa, beloved cousin Richard Jones, two loving sisters in law, Kathryn Peyton and family, Lutz, Florida, Georgia Lauderdale and family Tempe, Arizona, 10 nieces and nephews, 12 great- and 17 great-great-nieces and -nephews.

Welcoming him are his parents, sister Harriet, brothers-in-law Tom Skubal, Ron Lauderdale, George Peyton, Willard Sands, one nephew Tom Skubal Jr., mother-in-law Tina Simmering Marshall Dill, (husband Fred), and many, many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Washington Co. Hospice or the Columbus Junction Public Library.

A special thank-you from Howard's family to the Washington County Hospital, Emergency Room, and Clinics, Dr. Rey Lin, Jet Therapy, the Washington United Presbyterian Home, and Washington County Hospice for Howard's special care, Jones Eden Funeral Home, Washington Masonic Lodge, C.J. Legion, Washington State Bank, and all of Howard's neighbors and friends.

The Lord's Prayer will be at the closing of his service along with the hymn: “God be with you till we meet again.” The Cemetery Service closing will be: (1 Corinthians 10:13.) “May God's blessing surround you each day. As we trust Him and walk in His way; May His presence within, Guard and keep us from sin; go in peace, go in joy, go in Love.”