Chester Ellis “Chet” Jones

Chester Ellis “Chet” Jones, age 80, of rural Shelby, died unexpectedly Monday, February 21, 2000 at his home.
Chet was born June 29, 1919 in Waterford, Ohio, the son of Mary (Earnest) and Chester Ellis Jones, Sr. A 1937 graduate of Crestline High School, he was in the first draft from Crawford
County in 1941 for World War II entering the 140th Field Artillary Batallion of the 37th division
stationed in the Figi Islands. In 1943, while in Figi, he enlisted in the Air Force and served in China with the 14th Air Force Division of the Flying Tigers. After the war he retured home to farm which he did until his death. Mr. Jones was also a former employee of Timken in Bucyrus and Copperweld in Shelby. He was a life member and avid supporter of the 14th Air Force Association. He was a member of the First Luthern Church in Shelby and was a life member of the New Washington Americn Legion Post #405. He was a 20-year member of the Shelby Lions Club, served as a Plymouth Township trustee for 12 years and was a former member of the Hazelgrove Grange. Chet had more than 40 years of service with the Richland County Soil and Water Constervation District and served as its director from 1961-1970. He was an avid supporter of 4-H Livestock and was instrumental in starting the livestock sale at the Richland County Fair.
Chet is survived by his wife of 58 years, Arlene (Lust) Jones whom he wed on December 24, 1941; 2 daughters and sons-in-law: Sarah and Jim Evans of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and Mary Ann and Jerry Naumann of Shelby; a son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Sara Jones of Shelby; grandchildren: Scott and wife Tami Naumann, Tamra Naumann, Larissa and husband Eric Rupnow, Matt Evans, Erin Jones and Caleb Jones; great grandchildren: Cortney Naumann and Will Rupnow. 2 sisters and a brother-in-law: Marjorie Fletcher of Crestline, and Martha and Charles Fletcher of Delphos; a brother and sister-in-law, George T. and Marcie Jones of Yorba Linda, California. Numerous neices and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Earnest Jones in 1950.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:30 AM with Rev. D. Evan Houck officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Crestline. Full military honors will be conducted by the New Washington American Legion. Memorial expressions may be made to the Richland County 4-H Livestock Building Fund and left in care of the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, OH 44875.