Date of Death: November 11, 2018
Service Details
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Hohner Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Centreville United Methodist Church, 305 E. Main St, Centreville, MI 49032 with Pastor Emily Hansson officiating. Graveside services will follow at Prairie River Cemetery, Centreville, MI.
Obituary Notice
Bruce M. Jones, age 85, of Centreville, MI., passed away on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 at Borgess Hospital following a brief illness. He was born in Schenectady, NY., the son of the late Duane and Frances (Miller) Jones and moved to Centreville in 1949.
Bruce graduated from Centreville High School in 1951, where he was class Treasurer and attended Boys State. He furthered his education at Michigan State University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1955. He served his country honorably as an officer in the Army Corp. of Engineers.
After college and finishing his duty in the Army, he returned to Centreville, where he lived for the rest of his life. Bruce was engineer and manager of the St. Joseph County Road Commission for 52 years, an active member of the Centreville United Methodist Church, several community organizations, Boy Scout leader and Secretary of the Centreville Alumni Association for decades.
He had a great passion for all sports, but especially for golf and baseball. He played varsity football, basketball and baseball at Centreville, was a varsity baseball pitcher at Michigan State and played softball well into his 70s. He was a member of several golf leagues, just finishing four of them over this last summer. He coached many baseball and softball teams and was the official scorekeeper for Centreville basketball teams for decades.
Bruce was a kind, gentle, patient and humble man, an athlete and competitor his entire life, a rabid Sparty, Tigers and Lions fan. He had a positive attitude, a spring in his step and a tune whistling on his lips – and always had time to strike up a conversation with anyone he ran into.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Debbie Jones, one sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Dean Downer.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his wife, Barbara Ann Jones, of Centreville; three sons, Doug (Yvonne) Jones, of Three Rivers, Daniel Jones, of Colon, MI., and Shad Carpenter; two daughters, Christine (Rob) Adams, of Tinley Park, IL. and Jackie (Tony) Bowen of Three Rivers, and two brothers, Ken Jones, of Cupertino, CA., and Tom Jones, of Dimondale, MI.; seven beloved grandchildren, Tara and Kylie Adams, Kyzer and Gabrielle Bowen, and Christopher, Adam, and Caitlin Carpenter, many nieces, nephews, special former daughter-in-law Cathleen Carpenter and numerous friends.
Additional Information
Memorial donations may be made to the Centreville United Methodist Church or the Centreville Sports Boosters Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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I just found out about Bruce’s passing I am sorry we kept in touch over the years only every now and then but it meant a lot to me, Bruce made sure I got a newsletter , he was a fine man, My condolences to his family,, I think there are only a few old timers left now:::from class of 1951, May God bring you all the peace and comfort you need.
To Bruce Jones wife and family. Bruce was a special person. I know Roger thought very highly of him and enjoyed working with him. I know it is hard right now, but remember God will get you though with his love.
God Be With You.
I first met Bruce when I married David Pierce in the early 60’s, I found him to be a nicest person I have ever met and he always took time to talk to you and always interested in what is going and David and I attended many school Alumi gatherings. Bruce will certainly be missed and thought of each and everyday, Barb my hearts goes out to you and your family. I would be there for the funeral but I am in Florida at the moments, but thoughts and prayers will be with you on Saturday.
Mary A. Catoe
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Barb and your whole family. He always had a smile on his face and loved to tease. He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts n prayers to Bruce’s family?? many great times with Bruce on the ballfields, golf course and everywhere I encountered my friend??????
Sorry to hear of the family’s loss, Bruce was always a cheerful and out going man. I knew Bruce during my years while attending Centreville Schools, and after serving as one of the community Little League coaches for several years and attending the yearly LL meetings at the St. County road commission office. He always had a kind word for anyone who stopped him on the street to talk or seen him through out the village. It was with great pleasure to know Bruce, and his family, he will be sadly missed as he laid the foundation for many projects during his tenure as road commissioner.
Was In Centreville yesterday and heard the sad news, knew him since I was was a little kid, when he replaced the bridge on Nottawa Rd. at Prairie River, just south of Downtown Nottawa, told Bill Hensell, I don’t ever remember seeing Bruce when he didn’t have a smile on his face, Centreville & the Alumni has lost a true Pillar of the Community, not many left,
My heartfelt condolences go out to the Bruce Jones Family, this is a guy that we will bring up in conversation and smile just as he did for many years to come, R I P,
RESPECT; JV
JOHN VISAGGIO
Funeral director, Buffalo Grove IL
We feel that we all in this community have lost a great man and special friend. He planted many seeds of kindness, humility, fairness, truthfulness, commitment, and so many other varieties. Prayers for Family for comfort and peace at this sad time.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Our deepest sympathy, prayer and love to the Barb & the family, in the loss of your loved one! The Community has lost a great man and he was willing to serve in many ways & will be missed! Our family friendship with one another will be forever continued & cherished! The Millers, Floyd & Joan; Greg & Lucy; Rich & Rhonda and families
Our deepest sympathy to all of Bruces family. Bruce was a kind and gentle man of integrity. I was always amazed how he seemed to know every single person that ever lived in Centreville. Bruce did an great job keeping up with addresses for the Centreville alumni. Our thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.
Bruce was truly an incredible man, he will be deeply missed in the community. No matter where we ran into him, Yoder’s, Post office, the bank, the school, at games, the fair, he always took a moment to ask how things where, ask about family, or just a hello. I am sure he will take a moment to say hello to those from Centreville who will see him in God’s kingdom. Perhaps, lead the Heavenly Alumni Association.
Sad to see you go Bruce. We might not have always seen eye to eye, but always the gentleman to work with. Condolences to the family.
Mr. Jones was always very special to me. I knew him my entire life and never knew him to be anything but a sweet and kind man. He will be greatly missed by me and my family as well as many, many others. Rest in Peace Mr. Jones. You left a legacy of love.
So saddened to hear this. What a loss in our community, he was such an amazing and special man. Thinking and praying for the family.
So very sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. God bless all during this difficult time.
With great sadness I hear of this loss. Bruce was a great, kind man. My thoughts and prayer are with the family who he loved so very much. Visiting Centreville will not be the same without seeing Bruce.
A genuine good person.. he made time for all..
Thank you Bruce for your kindness to the community and beyond .. you will be greatly missed
One of the most dedicated,respected man in st. Joe county. Rest in piece my friend. You will never be forgotten. Thoughts and prayers to the whole family.
Bruce was a CLASS ACT in all regards. A gentleman and a renowned citizen. We will miss the twinkle in his eye and his easy laugh. Thank you for your love, Bruce Jones.
A wonderful man and family. He and barb were always kind and welcoming to me. I remember him coaching us as kids in softball, and how encouraging he was to all. Prayers for the entire family during this time.
One very special man ! I always enjoyed the comraderi when on the course with Bruce. My deepest condolences to the family. He will surely be missed.
A wonderful man!
My prayers and condolences to the entire family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I was on DDA with Bruce and remember home filling in as a baseball ump even just a few short years ago. My condolences to the family. Centreville lost a great man.
A LEGEND TO THIS COUNTY, A FATHER MENTOR TO SO MANY THOUSANDS OF US ,,YOUR PASSING IS A HUGE LOSS FOR US HERE, WE SAY PRAYERS FOR ALL FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, I WILL NOT FORGET YOU BRUCE,
What a beautiful obituary. Mr. Jones sounds like an amazing and kind person. God bless his family at this difficult time.
We are sorry to hear this, and send our condolences to the family, especially to Dan and Chris, whom I had the pleasure to know at CHS, and to Doug, whom we know as neighbors at Fishers Lake. Your family is special, and we know Bruce will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Sally and Chuck Boeschenstein
Bruce Jones was the personification of a good citizen and good neighbor.
He lived one block from me for several decades.
He exemplified decency and kindness.
He will be sorely missed.
One great man who always had time to listen and make you feel you were important. Thoughts go to the family, and his many friends
My sympathy to the family.
The Village of Centreville will never be the same with the loss of Bruce, Our love and sympathy to the family.