Ernest W. Jones, age 87, passed away December 17, 2024 at his home in Sikeston, MO.

He was born June 12, 1937 in Van Buren County, Arkansas, son of the late Oddos Jones and Dettie Brown-Jones.

Ernest was a member of Miner Baptist Church and a veteran of the US Army, having served as a Sergeant overseas in Germany. He worked as Group Coordinator in the Welding Department of Rheem Manufacturing.  He received an Appreciation Award from the CEO of Rheem for starting a manufacturing company in Mexico.  After retiring from Rheem where he worked for 34 years, he worked for Bula Heartland Potatoes for 30 years. He was a hard-working farmer; he would work on anything mechanical.

On October 13, 1961 he was married to Brenda Joyce Rister-Jones, she survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Jeffrey Ernest Jones of Oak Forest, IL and Gregory Allen Jones of Blodgett, MO; one sister, Wilma Denbow of Harrisburg, IL; three grandchildren, Bradley Jones, Wyatt Jones, and Marissa Jones; and his beloved dog, Buddy.

In addition to his parents, Ernest was preceded in death by one sister, Judith Ethridge.

Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 20, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home where funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10:00 a.m.

Burial will follow in the Blodgett Cemetery at Blodgett, MO.

Pallbearers will be Joel Evans, Cristian Evans, Hayes Evans, Jack Evans, Jimmy Knight, and Bruce Ray.