Obituary of Janet Jones , 75

Janet R. Dando Jones, 75, was born in Philipsburg, Pa. April 13, 1939, a daughter of the late William Eugene Dando and Audrey J. Williams. She lived with her parents for a short while in Harrisburg, but returned to Julian at the age of four and lived with her great-grandmother, Marcella Beals. She attended elementary school at Julian and Sugar Grove and graduated from Port Matilda High School as salutatorian of her 1956 class. She appeared in her class production of “Shy Guy” and was the lead in the operetta, “Go West Young Man, Go West” while attending high school. She attended the Philipsburg Hospital School of Nursing in 1956 and 1957.

On November 9th, 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, James E. Jones of Port Matilda, at the Black Oak Church. They raised their family and lived in the same house in which she was raised, all their married life, except from 1964-1966 when they lived in Middleburg, Pa. while Jim worked for Claster Lumber Co. Janet was employed at Riverside Markets in State College and was also the Huston Township Tax Collector for many years.
She is survived by her children, James E. Jones Jr. (Sue) of Pleasant Gap, Joel E. Jones (Sharon) of Pleasant Gap, Jerold E. Jones (Colleen) of Middleburg, Rev. Jay E. Jones of Williamsport, Jo Ellen Jones Veneziano (Mike) of Runville, Jan E. Jones Serb (Greg) of Snow Shoe, and Jonathan E. Jones of Allentown, Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Jamie Jones (Nick Barndt), Ashlee Jones Tate(Jamaal), Jolene Jones Smith (Jason) , Joshua Jones (Andrea Rager) , Julianne, Jacob and Jessica Jones, Mariah and Rachel Veneziano, Kierra, Tyler and Colson Serb . She has 7 great grandchildren, Allysan Jones; Sarah, Lydia and Rebekah Tate; Jaysa and Jayla Smith; and Jarrison Jones. She is survived by one sister, Gayle A. Dando Flick (Robert) of Julian.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, William R. Dando and sister, Valerie R. Dando, an infant great-granddaughter, Jaylene Erica Smith and her step-mother Betty F. Dando.

Her dearest friend was Jesus whom she loved and followed every day. She was baptized in the Julian UM Church and was an active member at different stages of her life at the Black Oak United Brethren Church, Faith United Methodist Church, Christ’s U.M. Church, and currently Bald Eagle Valley Community U.M. Church in Wingate, where she served on various committees and she sang in the choir. She also enjoyed playing the piano in church and at home and collecting old sheet music.

First and foremost, she loved her family and hopes to be remembered as a loving wife, loving mother, loving grandmother and great grandmother, and a loving sister. Her greatest joy was having family get-togethers on holidays and special occasions and watching all the family members interact. She especially enjoyed vacationing with her family at Wildwood Crest, N.J. each year. She loved gardening, flowers, flea markets and auctions. She also enjoyed seeing all seven of her children graduate from college. She enjoyed watching her children and her grandchildren participate in various activities and high school/college sports. She also liked spur of the moment driving vacations with Jim. She collected Halls china, especially teapots, and Hallmark Christmas ornaments, many with Nativity themes. She especially loved Christmas and decorating for it. Her greatest Christmas joy was her family party which included an auction for the past few years with the proceeds going to a charity or deserving person, inspired by her son, Jay. The last auction amount raised was $1250.00 and was given to a family whose child was born with Apert Syndrome, (her grandson Jacob’s Syndrome).

Friends and family will be received Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 4 – 6 P.M. at the Bald Eagle Valley Community United Methodist Church, 111 Runville Road, Wingate. A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 P.M. with Pastor Ronald Baker and Pastor Kathy Kind officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bald Eagle Valley Community United Methodist Church Camping Scholarship Fund, 111 Runville Road, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823; to the Port Matilda-Worth Twp. High School Reunion Scholarship Fund in care of Lutricia Smeal, 1057 E. Springfield Road Bellefonte, Pa. 16823; or to your local Salvation Army.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dean K. Wetzler Funeral.