Joseph E. Jones

Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery with Military Honors provided by Corning American Legion OURCQ Post #117.
Memorials may be directed to St. Patricks Catholic Church and/or Corning American Legion OURCQ Post #117.
Joseph Earl Jones, son of Walter and Alice Leona (OConnell) Jones, was born on September 16, 1923 on his familys farm 3 miles south of Corning. Joseph entered eternal rest on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Corning, Iowa at the age of eighty-six years, two months and twenty-one days.
Joe attended #2 Jasper Country School and graduated from Corning High School with the Class of 1941. Following graduation Joe began working at Farmers Coop Exchange until December 14, 1942 at which time he entered the Army. Joe served as a member of the US Army from 1942 to 1945. He became a tank commander in the European Theater in the 14th Armored Division, called the “Liberators” which was credited with liberating many POW camps. In 1945, Joe was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroic Achievement when he left the safety of his tank to assist two wounded comrades confined to a disabled tank. Under intense enemy shellfire, he helped pull the men out of the burning tank to safety. Following the war, Joe was a member of the Iowa National Guard for many years, retiring as a Sergeant Major in 1983.
On October 9, 1950, Joe was united in marriage to Mary Adelene Harvey at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Corning, Iowa. Two children were born to bless this union: Edward Earl and Karen Kay.
Joe worked in Corning at the Farmers Coop and Morgan Implement before becoming Adams County Relief and Disaster Services Director and Adams County Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. He was also Adam Countys first Magistrate and Justice of the Peace, retiring from these duties in 1985.
In 2000, Joe became a charter member of the National World War II Memorial and was a member of the Knights of Columbus and attended daily mass at St. Patricks Catholic Church for as long as he was able. Throughout his many years of service to local and state organizations, Joe received numerous citations and awards for his commitment to helping others. He held offices as American Legion County Commander, Corning Chamber of Commerce President, Adams-Taylor County Landfill Commissioner, Adams County Planning and Zoning Commissioner, Adams County Red Cross Board Member and received special honors for donating more than 15 gallons of blood to the Red Cross.
Left to cherish Joes Memory is his wife, Mary; his son, Ed (wife Sue) of Ames, Iowa; daughter, Karen (husband Dan) Mullen of Memphis, Tennessee; five grandchildren: Sarah (Dan) Fox-Jones, Rachel Jones, Ashley Mullen, Adam Mullen and Kristen Mullen; several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John (Mary Catherine) Jones of Corning and sister, Mary Stone of Polk City, Iowa.