Donald E. Jones, 87, of Coldwater, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at his grandson Chad's home where he had resided since October 2010.

A private graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater at a later date. Per his wishes,cremation has taken place and no other services will be held. Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.

Donald was born on August 22, 1924 in Colon, Michigan to Delmar and Lila (Reynolds) Jones. He moved to Coldwater when he was just 14 months old after his birth mother died at the age of 24. He was raised by his uncle, Lynn "Jack" Reynolds and his aunt, Josephine Reynolds. He attended Coldwater schools and entered the U.S. Navy the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He served honorably in the Pacific Theater repairing ships. He married June M. Bycraft on June 14, 1947. She preceded him in death in 1995.

Donald retired in 1978 after working as a foreman at the C.B.P.U. power plant for 24 years. He had also worked for an excavating company where he operated a bulldozer and helped to build North Lake Drive (Ebyview) and had driven truck for Pepsi Cola. He was a jack of all trades being skilled in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, cement work and gardening.


Donald was an avid sports fan and was known to have two televisions with two different games going at the same time. He loved Tiger
baseball, the Detroit Lions, U of M Football and the Coldwater Cardinals. He enjoyed attending his son's and grandson's sporting events. He also enjoyed deer hunting up north, fishing and mushrooming.

Mr. Jones is survived by his daughter Judy Hilton of Coldwater, daughter-in-law Pam Jones of Coldwater, his grandchildren Chad Hilton of Coldwater, Corey Hilton of Bronson, Ben (Karlene) Jones of Coldwater, Kelley Jones, D.V.M. of Lexington, KY and his great grandchildren, Chad's daughter, Josephine Hilton, Corey's daughter, Zailyn Hilton and Ben's daughters, Abigail and Taylor Jones.

In addition to his wife, Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his sons Daniel L. Jones in 1993 and Thomas E. Jones in 2010, his son-in-law Wayne Hilton in 1998 and his brothers, Reynold Jones and Robert Jones.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Tom Jones Building Trades Scholarship Fund, c/o BISD/Tom Jones Scholarship.