July
26, 1926 - Sept. 12, 2009SOUTH BEND - Ira David Jones, 83, passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in his home surrounded by family and caregivers. Dave was born in Milwaukee, WI, in 1926 and grew up in Shelbyville, IL. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1944 and at the age of 17 enlisted in the Navy where he volunteered for the submarine service. He was honorably discharged in the summer of 1946 and always felt this relatively short experience had a profound influence on his life. Dave was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal and Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal. Dave graduated from Bradley University in 1949 and went to work for the Oliver Corp. in Shelbyville, IL. On January 26, 1952 he married Joan Weishaar and soon after they were transferred to the Oliver Plant in South Bend, IN. Over the next 17 years Dave worked for three area manufacturing businesses, Bendix, South Bend Bait and Metal Mation. His ten years at Bendix and three years at Metal Mation, a high tech start-up manufacturing operation, prepared him to start his own small manufacturing business in 1969. His company, Dave Jones Machinists, designs and manufacturers Sight-Pipe optical inspection instruments for the metal working industry. Dave's inventions, six patents, and great efforts resulted in a variety of products sold around the world. Dave was very proud that his business provided employment to each of his children, several of their spouses, and various grandchildren at various time over the past 40 years. Dave was actively involved in the business until 2007, and since then enjoyed spending time at the shop. Dave is survived by his wife, of 57 years, Joan; his sister, Alice Lambrick of Decatur, IL; his children, Kathy (Kevin) Butterbaugh of Granger, David (Jane) Jones of Granger, Sandy (Tom) Budd of Granger and Tom (Suzanne) Jones of Osceola and 19 grandchildren, Denise Montague (Travers) Houck, Chris Montague, Erin Montague, Joe Montague (Sarah), Eric Butterbaugh, Lisa Butterbaugh, Lauren Butterbaugh, Anna Butterbaugh, Kara Jones, Nina Jones, Aaron Jones, Cason Jones, Brian Budd (fiancée Sarah Schmid), Danielle Budd, Jim Budd, Amanda Jones, Ashley Jones, Chandler Ankney, Mitchell Ankney and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harriet and Ira Jones, brother, Bob Jones, and a daughter, Susan Jones Montague. Dave enjoyed camping and drawing, but in his own words "I have never had hobbies in the normal sense of the word. Instead, I have received a lifetime of pleasure helping and watching the children and grandchildren grow into adults to be truly proud of". A memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, Sept. 19 in the First Presbyterian Church, 333 W. Colfax where friends may visit with the family after 10 a.m. until time of services. Welsheimer Family Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Contributions in memory of David Jones may be made to Harbor Light Hospice, 4330 Miami St., South Bend, IN 46614-5030 E-mail condolences may be made at welshfh@yahoo.com.