John Hayden Jones

Mankato Mortuary
388-2202

John "Jack" Hayden Jones, age 86, of Mankato died Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital, Mankato.

NOTE DATE OF SERVICE CHANGE - Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 p.m., MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato with Rev. Jay Dahlvang, officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Friday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at church on Monday. Burial with military honors will be in Jerusalem Cemetery, rural Lake Crystal. Memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, American Heart Association, or donor's choice.

Jack was born July 9, 1924 to John Bunyan and Tryphena Mary (Pugh) Jones in Mankato. He grew up on the family farm near Judson with his brother and sister. He attended Judson grade school and Lake Crystal High School where he played football. Jack served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater from August 8, 1944 until honorably discharged on April 24, 1946. He was severely wounded in the 2nd wave of the Battle of the Bulge. Jack was awarded the Purple Heart, Oak Leaf Cluster, two bronze campaign stars, and the Presidential unit citation. He married Charlotte Mitchell on November 24, 1951. She died on June 13, 1968. He married Donna Oftedahl on March 7, 1970. She died on May 31, 1995. He married Caroline McCargar on August 22, 1997. Jack attended Vo-Tech and Mankato State College. Jack was a Mankato Police Officer from 1950 to 1974, retiring as a Captain. After retirement Jack enjoyed selling cars for Beutz Dodge, Mankato Ford, Snell Motors, and Buck's Motors. Jack was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the American Legion and a Life Member of the VFW. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, collecting guns, competitive shooting, and was a wonderful story teller. He most of all enjoyed spending time with his family and visiting and playing with his grandchildren.

Jack is survived by his wife, Caroline of Mankato; two sons, Bradley (Cheryl) Jones of Wayzata, Jeffrey (Ruth) Jones of Carmel, IN; four grandchildren, Suzanne Jones, Sydney (Alex) Titus, Richard Hayden Jones, and Steven Jones; one great-grandson, Hayden Alexander Titus; six step-children, Vickie (Greg) Krummel of Appleton, WI, Richard McCargar of West Palm Beach, FL, Len McCargar, Linda (Stan) Fleming, Dan (Anne) McCargar all of Mankato, Debbie (Richard) Williamson of Madison Lake; twenty one step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; brother, Harold (Rene") Jones of rural Lake Crystal; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jack was preceded in death by his first wife, Charlotte; second wife, Donna; and sister, Vivian (Lloyd) Jones.