Obituaries

 

Leslie W. Jones "Les"

MOUNDVILLE TOWNSHIP – Leslie W. Jones, “Les” passed away on Sunday morning, May 24, 2015, at the age of 74, at his home, surrounded by his entire family.

Les was born on August 28, 1940.  He was the third child of Willard and Veryl Jones of Moundville.  He attended Pleasant View grade school in Endeavor, and graduated from Portage High School in 1958 where he enjoyed playing football.  Les married Ruth Messerschmidt on December 16, 1961 at Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mecan, Wisconsin.  They were looking forward to celebrating their 54th anniversary this December.

Les grew up on the Jones family homestead.  Later, Les and Ruth purchased that farm and he commuted to Madison for work each day as a painter, with his best friend and brother, Pete, so they could raise their family in the country.  Les was proud of his home and land.  Those lucky enough who were able to taste his “Grandpa Jones” maple syrup, lovingly made from the trees in his woods.  He thoroughly enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to fish and hunt and even had a Grandpa Jones “Deer Hunter of the Year Award” with a traveling trophy for the biggest buck. 

He enjoyed yearly pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota and was an avid curler at the Portage Curling Club. Les and Ruth loved camping and took their family to many state and national parks across the United States.  His favorite spot was Clam Lake in Northern Wisconsin in pursuit of a record musky.  Les was a good friend to many and enjoyed the people in the Moundville community.  He was simple in that he always felt blessed that his dooryard was full with family and friends.          

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Jones, Moundville; his five children, Jody (Gary) Olah, of Deerfield, Jeffrey (Susan) Jones, and James (Michelle) Jones, all of Endeavor, Jill (Jason) Chromy, of Mequon, and Jennifer (Daniel) Garrigan, of Portage; his 14 grandchildren, Rachel, Jonathan, Jordan, Samantha, Lauren, Tyler, Olivia, Wil, Peter, Lilly, Grant, Gabrielle, Genna, and Griffin; his sister Ruth (Clem) McNutt; his brother Peter (Barbara) Jones; his sister-in-law, Nancy Jones, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.  Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Arthur, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Milton and Irene Messerschmidt, and his granddaughter, Sarah Beth Olah. 

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, W1568 Evergreen Ln., Montello, with Rev. Peter Zietlow officiating.  Burial will follow in Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Thursday, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. 

The family would like to thank all the friends and family in the community who continue to give us support.  A special thanks to Dr. Susan Kreckman and to Agrace HospiceCare for helping us honor his wish to be at home surrounded by the things and people he loved. 

 

Obituaries
For information please call 608 742-2126 (Portage, WI) or 608 635-2763 (Poynette, WI)