Jess F. Bailey, 95 of Oakland City, passed away Friday, January 13, 2017 at the Northwood Good Samaritan Home in Jasper, IN.

He was born in Pike County, IN, February 17, 1921 to Alva and Stella (Strode) Bailey.

Jess graduated from Stendal High School and played on a sectional winning basketball team.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during W.W.II in the 749th Tank Battalion. He was a Coal Miner, retiring in 1986. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Old Ben Coal No. 1 mine for over 40 years and was a member of U.M.W.A.  He was a member of the Oakland City First General Baptist Church where he served as a trustee.

He is survived by 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Constance Bailey of Holland, MI and Tony and Joan Bailey of Oakland City; daughter-in-law, Sarah Bailey of Indianapolis; a sister: Renelda Erwin of Terre Haute and a brother, Paul Bailey of Stendal; 5 grandchildren, Jennifer (Craig) Newton of Bloomington, Susan (David) Eldridge of Cookeville, TN, Mike (Kitty) Bailey of Carlsbad, CA, David (Erica) Bailey of Bristol, Dr. Jessica (Thomas) Reynolds of Atlanta, GA and 7 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 73 years, Mabel L. Bailey, who passed way in 2014; son, James Bailey; sister, Elsie Barrett; 6 brothers, Amel, Charles, Luther, Herschel, Floyd, and Marvin.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Oakland City First General Baptist Church, with Rev. Darin Nossett and David Eldridge officiating. Burial will follow in the Montgomery Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, at the Corn-Colvin Funeral Home in Oakland City and from 8:30 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Military Services will be conducted by the Retired Military Veterans.