Eagle River
Eldon Jones (101) died at the home of his son Melvin Jones in Eagle River, Michigan January 22, 2015. He was born in Stanton, Michigan March 15, 1913 of parents Orin and Nora Jones. He is survived by a brother Nyle (96) of Greenville, a sister Alnora Emmons (93) of Stanton, a daughter Marcia Viegelahn of Calumet, three sons: Melvin (Carol) of Eagle River, Merlyn (Nancy) of Otsego, Michigan, Keith of Boise, Idaho, eight grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty five years, Esther (Chapin); his daughter-in-law Candy Jones; and son-in-law Gary Viegelahn.
Eldon graduated from Stanton High School in 1931. After graduation he took training in radio repair and set up a repair shop at Stebbins Hardware and Furniture Store in Stanton. In June of 1939 he was married to Esther. During the 1940’s he worked for a newly developed natural gas company in Stanton. From 1950 – 1970, he owned and operated the Stanton Plumbing and Heating business where he also sold and serviced radios and TV’s. During the seventies, eighties, and mid-nineties, he and Esther spent their winters in Florida where he first worked as a service man for a local LP gas company and then volunteered in the maintenance department at the Spurgeon Baptist Bible College in Mulberry Florida. In the summer, Eldon at first worked for the Montcalm County Health Department then, in 1980, Eldon and Esther spent their summers volunteering at the Gitche Gumee Bible Camp in Eagle River, where their son, Melvin was the director. Eldon continued helping there until just the past few years.
During his life time he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Stanton, Shepherd Road Baptist Church of Mulberry, and First Baptist Church of Calumet. He was also a member of the Gideons.
When Eldon graduated from high school, one of his Aunts, Ettie Morgan, wrote him a letter of congratulations. In that letter she says: “And may the world be better for having known you.” Her prayers were answered.
A memorial service will be held Saturday January 31st at twelve noon at the First Baptist Church of Calumet with visitation from ten to twelve in the morning. Gifts can be made in Eldon’s memory to Gitche Gumee Bible Camp, 5189 Garden City Road, Eagle River, MI 49950.
Eldon will be interred at the Lake View Cemetery, Calumet, Michigan