Obituary of Bernard Jones

Bernard Alfred Jones was born in Lincoln Park, Michigan on August 3, 1930. He was one of nine children born from the union of the late Dewain and the late Clara (Green) Jones. Bernard graduated from Flat Rock High School with the class of 1950. After high school, he was drafted into the United States Army, honorably serving his country in the Korean War from 1950 untill 1953 obtaining rank of Corporal. Bernard married the love of his life the former, Nancy Curley-Burke, on December 27, 1978 in Carleton, Michigan. Together the couple would share their blended family. Bernard supported his family working at Ford Motor Company as a Tool and Die Maker. For forty-one and half years he loved his job, eventually taking retirement in 1992. Bernard was the past Treasurer of the World Wars Monument in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Nancy, founded this idea on Memorial Day 1994 while placing flags for our fallen soldiers at a local cemetery. Nancy wrote a letter to the Editor of the local paper to inspire this idea. A committee was formed shortly after and the monument was erected in May 1998. Bernard believed that this was one of his greatest accomplishments. Bernard was a member of the VFW Post 1138 Ritual Team. He served as the former Chaplain of Carleton and Newport VFW's for over seventeen years. He was a Legionnaire, a Korean War Veteran, and an Associate member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He also was a member of the Frenchtown Senior Citizens and attended the 999th AFA Korean Army Reunion with AMVET. Bernard had the pleasure of being a foster parent to many children. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening flowers, fruits and vegetables. He also spent time traveling the United States. Bernard Alfred Jones, age 85 of Carleton, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at his home, with his loving family at his side. He had been under the care of Great Lakes Caring Hospice of Adrian. In addition to his parents passing, he was preceded by three brothers: David, Dewain, and Harold Jones; three sisters: Jacqueline and Vivian Jones, and Delores Wallace; and a half-sister: Lorenna. To cherish his memory, Bernard leaves his beloved wife of thirty-six years: Nancy Jones of Carleton; two sisters: Patricia (Russell) Radke of Utah and Lona (Gordon "Lee") Armstrong of Brownstown Township; three children: Theresa (Curtis Cecil) Rose of Avon Park, Florida, Deborah (Bruce) Amwake of Newport and Clara (Michael) Plarski of Nevada; three stepchildren: Tracy Sudduth of Georgia, Dora LePage of Livonia and George Burke of Carleton; seventeen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Friends may gather on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 from 2:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734)384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will take place on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 11:00am with Pastor Roy Southerland of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Procession will follow to St. Joseph's Cemetery for entombment, services at the cemetery will be held under the auspices of Monroe VFW post 1138 and the United States Army. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.