Nancy Lou Jones

Nancy Lou (Williams) Jones, 87, died October 22, 2023 at The Meadows of Ottawa. She was born March 9, 1936 in Lima, Ohio to Harley and Lena (Cooper) Williams. They both preceded her in death.

On December 23, 1955, she married Nolan Morris Jones Jr. of Columbus Grove.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Jones of Seminole, FL; one sister, Joan (Orton) Gilpin of Ft. Wayne, IN, as well as 2 sisters in law, JoAnn (Milo) George of Pandora and Jean Oliver of Lima. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Nolan; her son, David Jones; two sisters, Martha (Vernon) Nungester and Dorothy (Richard) Eubank; 5 brothers-n-law, Vernon Nungester, Richard Eubank, Orton Gilpin, Jon Jones and Paul Oliver; and one sister in law, Marilyn Jones.

Nancy was a graduate of Lima South High School, Class of 1954. She then worked for various companies including the United States Army while Nolan was serving in Akron and California. Nancy taught piano lessons at home and worked at the Columbus Grove Public Library for many years. When Nolan retired from Ford Motor Company in 1990, the couple spent time traveling the world making memories with their friends, especially Ron and Patsy Shafer. Nancy’s favorite part of every Ohio State football game was watching the “incomparable” Script Ohio.

After the death of their son, Nancy and Nolan started a Putnam County chapter of The Compassionate Friends. They volunteered at the state and national level, helping other bereaved parents work through their grief. Nancy also personally reached out to hundreds of parents who lost children to offer support.

Nancy’s faith was everything to her. She was a member of the Columbus Grove Christian Church for over 60 years. She taught 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School for over 20 years with Janet McKanna, sang in the choir, served as a deaconess and up until very recently took soup and bread to the sick members of the congregation. Nancy also was a lifetime member of the Mother’s Club “Blocks to Books.” Until last year, Nancy volunteered with Putnam County Hospice, visiting people in nursing homes and providing comfort as they neared the end of their lives.

Nancy was a member of the Eastern Star and directed the Rainbow Girls’ choir to state championships in the early 1960’s. She was a member of the first choral combo to sing live in the very first broadcast on WLIO TV while still in high school. Nancy stayed close to and cherished time with her high school classmates, meeting each month for lunch with them whenever she could.

Friends may call at Hartman Sons Funeral home from 2 to 8 pm on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Services will be held at The Columbus Grove Christian Church beginning at 11 am on Friday, October 27, 2023. Her nephew Pastor Geoff Eubank will officiate.

Please, NO flowers or gifts! Instead, consider giving memorials to the Columbus Grove Christian Church or Putnam County Hospice.

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