Obituary of Owen H. Jones

Towanda PA: Age 90, formerly of Elmira Heights passed away Friday, September 11, 2015 at the Towanda Skilled Nursing Facility. Owen was born April 4, 1925, a son of William and Ardell Jones. His wife of 67 years, Mary Lou Jones predeceased him on July 24, 2015. He is also predeceased by son Owen M. Jones, grandchildren, Ned and Nora Jones, sister Glenna J. Emmick and brother William Jones. Owen is survived by children, Gregory A. Jones and wife Sharon of Mansfield PA and Clermont FL, Korin M. Jones with Brenda Benninger of Athens PA; daughter-in-law Margaret McLoughlin of Potomac Falls VA; grandchildren; Aidan, Anna and Caelan Jones of Potomac Falls VA, Laurel (Ben) Olney of Hawaii, Kirby Jones of Elmira Heights, James, Breigh, and Eli Benninger-Jones of Athens PA; one great grandson and two great granddaughters; sisters-in-law Dorothy Lagonegro of Rochester NY and Naomi Jones of Lansing NY; along with many nieces and nephews. Owen was a 1943 graduate of Southside High School. He then served his country from 1943-1946 in the U S Army. After his military service Owen received his Vocational Education Certificate from Syracuse Extension. He worked for American Warming & Ventilating Co for 25 years, starting as an apprentice, retiring as the Superintendent. Owen then went to work for Southern Tier Custom Fabrication, serving as Superintendent for a year. He was then elected Business Agent of the Sheet Metal Local Union #112, serving from 1972-1976, then as the Business Manager and Financial Secretary from 1976-1988 where he managed the Pension and Welfare Funds. His sheet metal work led him to serve as President of the Building & Construction Council from 1977-1988 and also serve as Vice-President of the State Council Sheet Metal Workers. Owen was a member of the Kalurah Temple, Corning Consistory, Union Lodge #95, Elmira Heights American Legion, Elmira Heights VFW, North Presbyterian Church where he was Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Past Chairman of Staff Relations and a Past Elder. Owen also found time to serve on BOCES Citizens Advisory Council, was a member of Business Education Committee for Chemung/Steuben Counties, served as a guest lecturer at Cornell University School of Labor, was a member of the Coordinating Committee of the Southern Tier Regional Education Center of Economic Development and was a NYS Skilled Worker Emeritus. Owen and Mary Lou enjoyed traveling, visiting 38 states, Canada, Europe, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean Islands. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira on Sunday, September 13, 2015 from 4:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Those wishing may remember Owen with a donation to the Elmira Heights Historical Society, P O Box 2084, Elmira Heights NY 14903.