Lavonne Stouffer Jones died on January 22, 2019. She was born on Tuesday, July 24, 1923 to Thad & Irma Stouffer in Nora Township, Jo Davies County Illinois. The family moved to Lena in January 1926, where they continued operating a baby chick hatchery that had begun in 1920 and still active into the 1970’s.
It was a wonderful life in a town of 1200 people, where everyone knew each other, and cared about each other like a big family. Lavonne graduated from Lena High School in 1941, and in February 1943, she and Leo K Jones of Freeport were married. World War II was expanding rapidly, and Leo was drafted into the Air Forces on March 27, 1943. He went first to Kearns Utah for basic training, and then to Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver, for Medical Technician training. Lavonne joined him there for 6 weeks until he was transferred to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri in preparation for departure overseas. He went first to North Africa, then Tunis, Corsica France, Germany and Italy. He returned home in late November of 1945. Later, Lavonne & Leo went into business with her parents at the Stouffer Hatchery in the spring of 1946.
Lavonne and Leo became the parents of 5 children: Jeffrey born in 1948, Bradley born in 1950, Melanie born in 1953, Brian born in 1956 and Valerie born in 1960.
Lavonne was a member of the Lena United Methodist Church since 1931, Wesleyan Service Guild, Lena P.T.A., and a charter member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Lavonne and Leo spent many winters in Pompano Beach, FL. They loved to travel. For many years, they entertained State Department guests from all over the world, and many times re-visited the same guests in their own countries. They loved their family with all their hearts, putting their needs first.
Lavonne enjoyed decorating cakes for their children, teachers, and friends – making trains, dolls, miniature towns, churches, wedding & anniversary cakes. Knitting was another enjoyable hobby – making sweaters with space men, cowboys, angora kittens, and afghans for children and grandchildren.
Lavonne is survived by three sons – Jeffrey (Nancy) Jones of Cedarville, Bradley (Susan) Jones of Normal, Brian (Vicki) of Polo. Two daughters – Melanie (Terry) Flannery, Hudson FL, and Valerie (Rusty) Jacoby of Pompano Beach, FL. Grandchildren are Christopher (Melinda) Jones, Megan (Brian) Lapping, Thad Hanson, Tara (Justin) Cheek, Benjamin Wilken, Martha Renee Jones (Andrew Jackson), Joshua Lee Jones and Tessa Stouffer. Great Grandchildren include Kyler Jones, Mailee Jones, Jazmyn Burnett, Kamryn Jones, Abigail Lapping, Julia Lapping, TJ Hanson, Chloe Hanson, Ryann Cheek, Logan Leo Cheek, Adelaide Stouffer and Amber Strothman (Tanner Wingert). Great Great Grandchildren Eli Wingert and River Wingert.
Sisters-in-law; Irene (Richard) Jones, Teresa (John) Jones, Mary (Jones) Bronkema and husband Wayne, Betty (Donald) Jones, and many nieces & nephews.
Preceding her in death were her beloved husband Leo on June 14, 2003, and newborn son David Bruce November 2, 1947. Sisters; Helen Daws, May 2010, Dorothy Shaw, December 1986, her parents Thad & Irma Stouffer, Sister-in-law Kathryn Kutz (and husband Gerald) and brothers-in-law Allen Daws, Morris Shaw, Homer Jones (and wife Jean Schultz), James Jones Jr (and wife Mary Uecker), Robert E Jones (and wife Alyce Affolter), Paul Jones (and wife Marjorie Smith), Richard Jones, Donald Jones, John Jones, and Albert Jones.
Mom wanted to say a big Thank You to the Monroe Clinic Home Care nurses and the Pearl Pavilion Staff who were so very caring and thoughtful tending to her many needs.
The 23 Psalm reads “Surely Goodness & Mercy Will Follow Me All The Days of My Life” and it did.
The funeral will be held at 12:30 PM on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Lena United Methodist Church; visitation 10:00 to 12:00 at the church. Pastor Keri Rainsberger will officiate. Burial will be in Lena Burial Park. A memorial has been established in her name. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com.
