Mary Ellen Jones

Mary Ellen Jones, 78, of Salem, danced back into her husband’s arms at 1:04 AM on January 16th 2020 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Mary Ellen was born to Hershel and Alma Mae (Witbracht) Gordon in the small town of Eden, Illinois. She attended Eden, one-room, Grade School and graduated 8th grade with her four other classmates. She went on to attend Sparta High School, where she met the love of her life, Gerald “Jerry” Jones. She graduated in 1959, at which time; her life-long aspiration was to become an airline stewardess. She moved to Des Moines, Iowa to pursue this dream, only to be told she was “just too short.” She opted to stay a while and worked at a soda fountain until she landed a job as a secretary. During this time, Jerry wrote her weekly love letters. He ultimately followed her there and “brought her home.” They married June 25th 1960 in Sparta, Illinois. Over the next two years, they began their beautiful family. When her girls were young, she worked as their school’s secretary. That job helped her find her calling and in 1972, she decided to attend college to become a teacher. She graduated from Belleville Area College in 1974 and completed her bachelor’s degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1978. She was the first in her family to obtain a college degree. Her, Jerry, and the girls moved to Salem, Illinois in 1976 with World Color Press and she went on the enrich the lives of students at Franklin Park Middle School. She taught English and was passionate about reading and ensured her children and grandchildren all spoke with impeccable grammar. She doted on her students and took pride in the accomplishments they achieved. Upon Jerry’s retirement in 1988, they moved to Englewood, Florida where she continued to teach until 2000. When she learned she was going to be a great-grandma she insisted they move back to Illinois in 2002. Throughout her life, Mary Ellen loved reading and watching lifetime movies. However, her true passion was creating beautiful works of art that her family will continue to cherish. She also loved golfing with Jerry and her gal pals, traveling, and dancing. Her and Jerry would enter, and win, jitterbug contests or just dance in the living room on any given day. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 25th at 5:00 pm at the Salem Elks Lodge with Pastor Trent Ice officiating. Memorials may be made in Mary Ellen’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri Chapter or to Odin Healthcare’s activity department and received at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Jones Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and also on the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page. Mary Ellen is survived by daughters; Rebecca “Becky” Purcell, Lauren Lusch, Grandchildren; Whitney Purcell and spouse Walter Gallia, Caleb Lusch and wife Abbey, Callie Lusch and fiancé Michael “Shad” Ray, Great-grandchildren; Anabella Gallia, Eden Gallia, and Atticus Lusch, Brother; Tommy Gordon and wife Linda, Sister In-laws; June and husband Tommy Ramsey and Shirley Jones as well as many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents; Hershel and Alma Mae Gordon, Husband; Gerald Jones, Sister; Pat Baue, and Brother in-law; Leroy Jones.

Mary Ellen Jones

September 25, 1941 - January 16, 2020