Hughie Elmo Jones Obituary (1926

Hughie "Elmo" Jones passed away peacefully on March 29, 2014 surrounded by his loving wife, Anna, and their children. Elmo was born February 27, 1926 to Hughie & Arrinda Wavie (Flener) Jones. The first of three children and his mothers favorite-or so says his younger sister. He graduated from Bosse High School in Evansville, IN either 1944 or 1945. He couldnt remember just which year so he attended class reunions for both years. Through a blind date, he met Margaret Ann Winiger and they wed on February 27, 1948-his 22nd birthday. Together they had 5 children and were married until her death in 1969. During his 20s, Elmo worked a variety of jobs in Evansville including Chrysler & Hoosier Cardinal. Also, during this time, he delved into his first of many personal business ventures. He owned and operated a service station and a restaurant. In 1957 the family moved to Mt Vernon, IN where he operated Elmos Sinclair Station. In 1961 Elmo sold the station and accepted a position with the newly opened General Electric. Also, from 1962-1970, Elmo & Margaret owned the Dog N Suds Restaurant in Mt Vernon. After Margaret passed away, Elmo moved his family to Carmi, IL in 1971 where he had purchased the Western Auto Store. In 1972, he found love again with the woman next door-literally-and wed Anna Pretzsch Inman on March 16, 1973 and with that union, he gained 2 more children. Elmo retired from GE in 1989 and continued to operate the Western Auto Store, a fixture on Main St, until 2012. Elmo was civic minded and participated in many community events including the Relay for Life and March of Dimes walks. He was a member of the Mt Vernon Civitan Club, Carmi Kiwanis Club, Carmi Chamber of Commerce and the First Baptist Church. Elmo is preceded in death by his parents, first wife, oldest son, Hughie Wayne and sister, Margaret McCormick. Elmo is survived by his loving wife of 41 years Anna, children Arrinda (Mark) Smith, Jan (Bob) Sisson, Angela (Michael) Bohleber, Katrina (Charlie) Gibbs, James (Martha) Inman and his baby, Tammy Jones. Also, surviving are 11 grand children, 10 great grand children, brother, Eldon Ray (Betty) Jones and brother-in-law Orville (Lil) Pretzsch. The family would like to thank the staff at Phoenix Rehab Facility and a very special thanks to "foster daughter" Lil Fortner. Visitation is 4-8 pm, Monday, March 31, 2014, and 11am to 1 pm, Tuesday, April 1st, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi; Funeral is at 1 pm Tuesday, with burial in Kingdom Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Relay For Life. Visitation: Cook Funeral Chapel Carmi, March 31, 2014 - 4-8pm Service: Cook Funeral Chapel Carmi, April 1, 2014 - 1pm Memorials: Relay for Life