Marilyn Elaine Jones

July 8, 1929-July 10, 2010

BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Marilyn Elaine Jones, 81, died Saturday (July 10, 2010), at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney with family at her bedside.

She was born in rural Max, Nebraska on July 8, 1929, to Guy Raymond Powell and Matilda Mertilla (Kimsey) Powell.

She graduated from Benkelman High School in 1946 at the age of 16 and furthered her education by graduating from Parks Business School in Denver. Upon her return to Dundy County, she worked at the Morehouse Hospital in Benkelman.

She was united in marriage to Mason Jones on April 4, 1948, in Benkelman where she and Mason farmed, fed cattle, and raised their family.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Benkelman PEO, and Holly Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. She spent hours working with the Dundy County Historical Society at the Dundy County Museum and shared her talents on the Board of Directors for the Dundy County Senior Center.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mason; parents, Guy and Matilda Powell; granddaughter, Kerry Michael; brother, Paul Powell; sister-in-law, Roberta Powell; and brother-in-law, Dean Christner.

She is survived by her two sons, Dr. Mason Jones and wife, Lynne of Chester, Virginia, and Bob Jones and wife, Rita of Benkelman; sister, Pat Alba and husband, Roy of Hacienda Heights, California; three sisters-in-law, Millie Glasco and husband, Glenn of Bird City, Kansas, Ethel Christner of Carbondale Colorado, and Betty Parman and husband, Floyd of Benkelman; brother-in-law, Tom Jones and wife, Sharlane of Benkelman; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She will lie in state at Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman on Wednesday from 1-6 p.m.

Funeral services will be Thursday, 10 a.m. (MDT), at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Carole Coates officiating. Committal services will be provided by the Order of Eastern Star with interment following at the Benkelman Cemetery.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of the arrangements.