Forrest – Ernest "Gene" Jones, 84, of Forrest, passed away at 5:36pm, November 15, 2019, at Serenity Villa, Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

His funeral will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at First Baptist Church, Fairbury. Pastor Daryl Evans will be officiating.

Burial will be in Forrest Township Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4-7:00pm, Tuesday, November 19, 2019 also at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury and 9-9:45am on Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Southeastern Livingston County Ambulance Service, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, or the donor's choice of charity.

Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

Gene was born January 5, 1935, in Pontiac, the son of John "Dick" and Velma Ahrends Jones.

He first married Joyce Spangler and later married Lena Stork Mauser on May 25, 1991.

Surviving are his wife, Lena; children, Ernie (Beth) Jones of Vancouver, WA, Jerry Jones of Pontiac, Ron (Patricia) Jones of Flanagan, and Dale (Valerie) Jones of Pontiac; bonus children, Randy (Kim) Mauser of Saunemin, Shirley Freeland of Gibson City, Linda (Al Hoffman) Diemer of Saunemin, Lori (Dennis) Cheek of Rantoul, Jim (Rose) Mauser of KY, Sharon (Tim) McGuire of Fairbury; 10 grandchildren; 15 bonus grandchildren; many great grandchildren; brother, Jim Jones of Pontiac; and sister, Mary Lou (Larry) Campbell of Crest Hill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter-in-law, Terri Jones.

Gene was baptized in the Methodist faith and attended First Baptist Church, Fairbury.

Gene retired from Evenglow Lodge, Pontiac after 27 years in maintenance. After retiring he worked part time for Paternoster Ford.

His love of cars began at an early age working alongside his father at the Dick Jones Ford Garage, Odell.