A memorial graveside service for Merwyn B. Jones will be held on Monday, November 28, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Murray Jones officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Air Force Honors Team.
The service will be recorded and posted to the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page.
Merwyn Burton Jones, 85 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at his home in Holdrege. Merwyn was born on December 15, 1936, in Wymore, Nebraska, the eldest in a set of twins, of six children, born to Fred O. and Kathryn (Smith) Jones. He was baptized as an infant and in 4th grade, the family moved to Holdrege. Merwyn attended Holdrege High School, graduating with the class of 1955. During school, he worked at the Sunglow Dairy.
Following his graduation, Merwyn enlisted into the United States Air Force on August 19, 1955. He received his basic training at Parks Air Force Base in California. This was followed with Mechanic Tech School at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas and was later, stationed in Tachikawa, Japan. Following his honorable discharge on August 19, 1959, he moved back to Holdrege and again, worked at the Sunglow Dairy.
On June 11, 1961, Merwyn married Mildred “Millie” Maaske at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bertrand, Nebraska. They were blessed with the birth of twin sons, Mitchell and Monte. Merwyn became a member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege. In 1963, the family moved to Ogallala, Nebraska, where he was employed as a Metropolitan Life Insurance agent. In 1966, the family returned to Holdrege, where Merwyn worked as a Production Manager at Beckton Dickinson until 1981. He then worked at Palmer Brothers Granite and was the Phelps County Weed Superintendent. Following his retirement, Merwyn enjoyed working summers at CNPPID in Holdrege for 16 years.
Merwyn was proud of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending all of their activities. He also enjoyed classic cars and target shooting. Merwyn had a strong work ethic and took pride in doing the best possible in all of his various occupations.
He was a member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, the Holdrege Eagles and the Martin-Horn American Legion.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Marilyn Anderson and her husband, Bob; and Carol Young and her husband, Bob; brothers: Eldon Jones; Richard Jones; and Lloyd James “Jimmy” Jones in infancy; three sisters-in-law: Faye Maaske; Linda Maaske; and Grace Maaske in infancy; and three brothers-in-law: Delmer Maaske and his wife, Alice; Eldred Maaske; and Darrel Maaske.
Merwyn leaves to celebrate his life, his wife Millie of Holdrege; sons: Mitch Jones and his wife, Jenni of Holdrege; and Monte Jones and his wife, Brenda of Columbus, Nebraska; six grandchildren: Eric Jones and his wife, Kelly of Castle Rock, Colorado; Maj. Alex “Indy” Jones and his wife, Trenda of Niceville, Florida; Reece Jones of Holdrege; Abby Jones of Omaha, Nebraska; Andrea Jones of Washington, D.C.; and Ben Jones of Lincoln, Nebraska; four great-grandchildren: Calvin, Piper and Colin Jones; and Baylor Jones; brothers-in-law: Bernard “Ben” Maaske and his wife, Ruth of Lincoln; Roland “Ron” Maaske and his wife, Lyn of Lincoln; and Wayne Maaske of Bertrand; three sisters-in-law: Margaret High and her husband, Dave of Holdrege; Darlene Samuelson and her husband, Alan of Bertrand; and Janice (Broeker) York Maaske of Kearney, Nebraska; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and many friends.
A Time of Gathering and Celebration will be held on Sunday, November 27, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the family present and greeting at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church – Social Hall.
A memorial has been established in Merwyn’s honor and kindly suggested to the Phelps County Food Pantry.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.