Patrick Royal Jones Sr.

October 30, 1934 - July 18, 2018

Patrick R. Jones, Sr., age 83, of Dixon, died Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at Heritage Square in Dixon. He was born October 30, 1934, in Dixon, the son of J. Willard and Elizabeth (Hennessy) Jones. Pat was a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for over 50 years in Illinois and was the 3rd generation owner and operator of Jones Funeral Home in Dixon and Amboy. He attended the University of Notre Dame, and received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona in 1957. He was also a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Patrick was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dixon where he had been a lector, and most recently a greeter. He was a member of the Dixon Knights of Columbus Council 690, Past President of Dixon Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow, Past President of the Dixon Gyro Club, Past President of Dixon Chamber of Commerce, a member of Chamber Ambassadors, and received the Chamber's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. He had been a member and Past President of Dixon Park District Board of Directors, a member of the Dixon Elks Club, the Dixon Jaycees, the Dixon Petunia Festival Board and was parade chairman. Pat was a member of the KSB Hospital Board of Directors, where he served a 2 year term as Chairman. He was also a member for 48 years of the Board of Directors at Heritage Square. He was also a life long member of the National Funeral Directors and Illinois Funeral Directors Associations and past member of the Northern Illinois Funeral Directors Association. He also was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Pat enjoyed vacationing at Little Silver Lake in Wild Rose, WI. Pat married Linda Schaefer in Dixon on March 19, 1999. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother John Jones. Survivors include his wife; 4 children Patrick R.(Lois) Jones Jr., of Amboy, John W. Jones of Chicago, Michael J. Jones of Washington D.C., and Sarah E. (James) Gorzny of Oregon; 2 step-daughters Jon Lynn (Rich Reedy) Schaefer of Evanston, and Michael Ann Schaefer of Hayward, WI; 6 grandchildren Jordan (Beth) Gorzny, Olivia Gorzny, Cade Gorzny, Brian (Rose) Miller, Christopher Jones, and Carly Jo Grant; 4 great-grandchildren Jaxson and Lilah Gorzny, Derek Miller and Wyatt Hankemeier; 4 sisters Cecelia (Robert) Jordan of Flossmoor, Nancy (Antone) Eppolito of Fayetteville, NY, Mary (Stanley) Harrison of Milwaukee, WI, and Eleanor (Thomas) Pendergast of Liverpool, NY; 1 brother Dr. David (Connie) Jones of Vista, CA; sister-in-law Dorothy Jones of Springfield, VA; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Monday July 23, 2018, beginning with a 10:00 AM prayer service at the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon followed by a 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon, with the Rev. Keith Romke, Pastor, and Rev. James Keenan, concelebrating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon. Visitation will be held on Sunday, from 2:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home with the Rosary recited at 7. Memorials have been established to St. Mary School and Heritage Square in Dixon.