Marian Arlene Jones

Marian Arlene (Ristau) Jones, 95, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Woodbridge, VA.

On October 22, 1926, Marian was born in Coal Valley, IL, to William and Emma (Nightingale) Ristau. She had three siblings, Phyllis (Stanley) Lundquist, Aledo, IL; Lois Stewart, Rock Island, IL; and Richard (Jean) Ristau, Galesburg, IL. Marian married widower Robert Edward Jones on August 23, 1947, in Rock Island, IL, and adopted his daughter, Patricia Ann (Robert) Champion, Roseburg, OR. The couple had two additional children, Dennis Robert (Anne) Jones, Puyallup, WA; and Peggy Sue Jones, Woodbridge, VA.

She was loved by her grandchildren: Julie Bryan, Jennifer (Dave) Taylor; Robert Denton; Alyssa (Scott) Ames; Aaron (Christina) Jones; Thuraya Masri; and Leith (Meghan) Masri, and she cherished her 12 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. The close-knit family also includes nieces and nephews, Patsy (Dale) Meyers, San Antonio, TX; Marvin (Carole) Stewart, Poteau, OK; Michele (Duane) Jenkins, Tebbetts, MO; Terri (Mark) Wilson, Rio, IL; and Lori Stewart, Moline, IL.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, William (1972) and Emma (1980), husband, Bob (1988); her sister, Lois (2020); her daughter, Patricia (2021); her great-granddaughter, Danielle (2013); her great-great-grandson, Harrison (2015).

She enjoyed cooking, gardening, playing cards, and reading. She was generous in sharing her recipes and kitchen knowledge and made others feel included in games around the table. She worked for the Rock Island County School District for 20+ years. She was the cafeteria manager at Hawthorne Irving in the later years of her career and enjoyed making all the meals from scratch.

Robert and Marian Jones were charter members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Moline, IL, attending the very first worship service on January 1, 1951. Marian was a Christian and believed in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She loved, worked, and worshipped with her family of believers at Holy Cross, adored her three Pastors who served during the church's 70+ years (Rev. Haake, Rev. Laux, and Rev. Dr. Karsten), and the 52 vicars that interned over the years. On her deathbed, while yet able, she sang, Jesus Loves Me This I Know, For the Bible Tells Me So. Memorials may be given the LWML of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Moline, IL, for the work that continues to be done for the Lord.

Finally, Marian was incredibly grateful to her family members, friends, and neighbors who helped her during her later years. She would want to remind everyone that Jesus loves you, died for you too, and eternity is yours simply by believing.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Moline, IL, beginning at 9 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. and burial at Greenview Memorial Gardens. A luncheon at the church will follow the burial.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express condolences at wendtfuneralhome.com.