HELTONVILLE - MARCH 30, 2023 - The Heltonville community mourns over a long-time pillar of the community, who loved and devoted his time to it.
" If there is anything you need let me know, I will help you, this is what you heard from Dwight all the time," said Steve Nolan former fire chief of the Pleasant Run Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Jones was committed to his family, country, community and many friends and strangers he never knew personally. But, always able to lift a helping hand.
Dwight was stationed San Juan, Puerto Rico, during the Korean War, helping with electronics and anything else that needed fixed; he was able to put things together again. Whether it was working on gauges, or anything else, he could get the job done.
Jones had an eight-year obligation to serve in the Korean War however, according to his son Doug spent about four years in the Air Force.
The Jones Funeral Home started in 1928 by Dwight's father Leston. After the war Dwight decided it was time to go to Mortuary School and join his dad in the business.
" Back then you only went to school for one year. The funeral director and embalming licenses were separate. It was not like it was today," said Doug Jones now owns the funeral home.
During a viewing the Doug's grandma and grandpa may be in the kitchen at the funeral home fixing meals for the family. " There have been times when a family of the deceased vehicle would break down and dad would go work on their car and get them to the funeral home," said Doug.
Many families through the years have been served by the Jones's and their compassion to those who have called on them for their services.
" My dad, did not know a stranger, he had the same wit he had up until of the time of his passing earlier this week. We only told one person of his passing to a family member in Texas, and before we knew it the whole community started calling and offering condolences to our family. That is how huge my dad's impact on the community really was," Doug added.
Heltonville has suffered two great losses, and both were founding members of the Pleasant Run Township Volunteer Fire Department. The deaths of both Gary Faubion and Dwight Jones left big shoes and role models in every sense of the word.
In fact, these two was the last of the founding members of the department, which both dying with weeks of one another. Both were honored in 2011, by the Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Association for 50 years of service.
Steven Nolan, former fire chief, Pleasant Run Township Volunteer Fire Department for more than 15-20 years first met Jones in 1985. Nolan reflecting back on the many years, Jones has influenced the rural fire department.
"The man had a way of telling stories and recalling events over several years in the past. He would always come down to the fire station telling us some of the events and stories of the earliest years of the fire department,"
The first fire station the Heltonville Community had was a one garage building, very small and Dwight and them brought their first 1955-1956 fire engine back from St. Louis. Bringing the truck in snowstorm was an adventure as it broke down on them on the way to Heltonville.
" You could alway see Dwight with a small cigar hanging out of the corner of his mouth, never lit but he was always chewing on it," said Nolan.
Jones was mentoring the newest upcoming members of the fire department or made sure he attended their fundraisers making sure things were taken care of for the fire department. Jones showing up at training sessions or any other function the department was having.
The Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Association will be hosting a Memorial Service on Monday April 3, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Jones Funeral Home in Heltonville, Indiana.
We say goodby to a great man, whose void will be felt for years to come.
Used by Permission of the Jones Family which hangs at the Jones Funeral Home in Heltonville
Dwight and Peggy Jones
Heltonville-Dwight L. Jones 1932-2023
Dwight L. Jones age 90 of Heltonville passed away on Tuesday March 28, 2023 at 6:27 p.m. at Baptist Health Floyd in New Albany. He was born in Heltonville on August 16, 1932 to Leston and Irene (Ford) Jones. Dwight married Peggy Rose (Todd) Jones, she preceded him in death in 2012. Dwight was a US Air Force veteran of the Korean War, he was a founding member of the Pleasant Run Township Fire Department, he was a licensed Indiana Funeral Director and Owner of Jones Funeral Home in Heltonville.
He is survived by one son, Mark D. Jones of Heltonville, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Donald Gene Jones, his wife, Peggy Rose Jones.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home, 25 Jefferson Street, Heltonville, In 47436, with Pastor Greg Eads, officiating, burial will follow in Gilgal Cemetery in Heltonville.
Visitation will be held on Monday April 3, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Heltonville.
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