ROBERT RUSS JONES was born on June 26, 1919, in Washington County near Desoto, Nebraska.  He was the third of four children born to Pete and Blanche (Wallace) Jones.  He passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at Oakland Heights in Oakland, Nebraska, at the age of 92 years.

He received his elementary education in a rural school by Desoto and in 1937 graduated from Fort Calhoun High School.  He helped his father on the farm along with his two brothers, Herbert and Buss and sister, Lorraine.  They raised wheat and other crops and would haul vegetable produce to the Old Market area in Omaha.

On September 3, 1941, Robert and Louise Marie Burmeister were united in marriage at the Florence Presbyterian Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska.  To this union two sons were born, Dennis and Dale.  Louise passed away on September 20, 1970.

Robert enlisted in the Army on May 14, 1942, and was honorably discharged with a PFC ranking on December 17, 1945.  He served overseas on Tongareva, a small Pacific island which is south of the Hawaiian Islands.  He was a past member of the V.F.W. Ryan Post 5543, serving as post commander from 1973 – 1974.  Robert was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Oakland for many years.

After returning home from the service in 1946, Robert and Louise made their home on a farm south of Oakland.  He enjoyed farming and feeding cattle, hogs and raising chickens.  He liked John Deere machinery and anything green.

Robert and Lila Briggs were married on August 17, 1973, in Colorado; this added seven stepchildren to Robert’s life.  Bob and Lila enjoyed dancing and traveling.  Robert retired from farming in 1986 which gave him more time to get a good card game going.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Louise; brothers, Herbert and Buss; several brothers- and sisters–in-law.

Survivors include his wife, Lila of Oakland; sons, Dennis and wife, Christy, Dale and wife, Linda, of Oakland; five grandchildren; Jeff Jones, Annie (Tim) Magnusson  of Oakland, Jason (Carie)  Jones of Lincoln, NE,  Michelle (Lee) Fritson of Kearney, NE, Ryan (Tammy) Jones of Gretna, NE; ten great grandchildren,  Ellen, Nolan & Carolyn Magnusson, Wilson, Davis and Steele Jones, Owen and Emersyn Fritson, Ian and Noah Jones; sister, Lorraine Johnson of Blair, NE; stepchildren; Connie Guy of Omaha,  NE, Frank (Barbara) Briggs of Mondamin, IA, George (Linda) Briggs of Herman, NE,  Bill  (Jeanie) Briggs  of Craig, NE,  Ronnie Briggs of Walthill, NE, Kathy McBride of Omaha, Debbie (Duane) Gray of Blair; 12 step grandchildren; numerous  step great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, August 27, 2011, 10:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Oakland.

MILITARY HONORS: American Legion Post No. 46 and Ryan VFW Post No. 5543

NO VISITATION

BURIAL: Fort Calhoun Cemetery at a later date

MEMORIALS:.Ryan VFW Post No. 5543, Oakland.

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