Donald Jones

Donald A. Jones, 86, formerly of Hiawatha, died Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha. Don was born September 11, 1923 in Elmdale, Kansas, the son of Arthur and Stella (Border) Jones. He graduated from Sabetha High School in 1940 and attended Highland Junior College as well as Central Baptist Theological Seminary. While attending college he worked for the Nemaha County Co-Op Creamery and was a linotypist for the Sabetha Herald. Don entered the American Baptist ministry in 1953 and served five churches; the Burr Oak Baptist Church, in Troy, Kansas, the First Baptist Church of Highland Crest, in Kansas City, Kansas, the First Baptist Church, in McCook, Nebraska, the First Baptist Church, in Chadron, Nebraska, and the First Baptist Church, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Donald retired in 1985 after 32 years in the ministry, but continued serving in various churches around the Sabetha area.


On December 17, 1943 Don was united in marriage to Edith Maye Parr in Sabetha, Kansas. She preceded him in death on April 1, 1991. Don remarried on September 1, 1991 to Wilma Nadine Howard in Cedar Vale, Kansas.


Survivors include his wife, Wilma; one son, Roger Jones (Kathy) of Smithfield, Nebraska; three daughters, Judy Rilinger (Bob) of Sabetha, Kansas, Becky Davis (Dave) of LaMar, Colorado, and Pam Mason (Steve) of Parker, Colorado; one step-son, Dalton Howard (Janet) of Lecompton, Kansas; one step-daughter, Brenda Brand (Tom) of Silver City, New Mexico; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.


Funeral service will be held Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha. The family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Gideons International or donor's choice, sent in care of the funeral home.