Herschel “Dean” Jones, age 97, of Salem, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Twin Willows Nursing Center in Salem.
Dean was born on July 5, 1928, in Alma, Illinois, the son of Lewis H. Jones and Nell Agnes (Walker) Jones. He married Kathryn (Jones) Jones on April 24, 1948, in Kinmundy, Illinois, and she preceded him in death after 71 years of marriage.
He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Vandeveer of Salem; daughter-in-law, Cathy Jones of Pana; and several grandchildren, including Michelle Blomberg and husband Chris of Kinmundy, Mike Vandeveer and wife Tammy of Alma, Denise Jones of Pana, Tricia Ogden and husband Jared of El Paso, Illinois, and Crystal Wolf and husband Blake of St. Louis, Missouri.
Dean is also survived by great-grandchildren Cauy (Shelby) Blomberg of Kinmundy, Jaron (Katie Shumate) Blomberg of Farina, and Kaley Blomberg of Murray, Kentucky; Ian (Brooke) King of Alma; Abby King of Alma; Mackenzie and Nathaniel Ogden of El Paso, Illinois; Reese and Maeve Wolf of St. Louis, Missouri, and Ona Jones of Pana; and great-great-grandchildren Hope Vangetson and Presley King of Alma, and Kolby and Kylin Blomberg of Kinmundy. He is further survived by brothers Cecil Jones of Salem, Richard Jones of Alma, and John Jones and wife Nona of Alma, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Nell Jones; his wife, Kathryn Jones; his son, Ronald Dean Jones; his son-in-law, Russell Vandeveer; and several siblings, including Helen Cox, Harold Jones, Don Jones, Bill Jones, and Dwight Jones.
Dean was a farmer for most of his life. He was a member of the Kinmundy Methodist Church. He loved to be around people and especially enjoyed making them laugh.
Funeral services for Herschel Dean Jones will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem with Lisa Guilliams officiating. Burial will follow at Sandy Branch Cemetery in Alma. Visitation will be held on Friday at the funeral home from noon until the time of the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sandy Branch Cemetery. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.CrouseFH.com.
