Mary Adelene Jones

Mary Adelene Jones was born the eldest of 8 children on October 7, 1928, to Ralph and Arlene Harvey in the Harvey Family farm home, located in Taylor County, Iowa - 7 miles south of Corning, Iowa and 4 miles west of “Tuck Corner.” The attending Physician was Dr. Holley. Mary entered eternal rest Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at MercyOne Hospice House in Johnston, Iowa, at the age of ninety-two years.

Growing up on the farm Mary had the typical duties of milking cows, gathering eggs, seasonal food harvesting and preservation, and daily food preparation.

Mary attended the Spalding #1 country school for grades K-8, walking about 1 mile to and from school each day. Her 8th grade graduation was held in Bedford, IA. Mary graduated from Corning High School in 1947, where she participated in the marching band, playing the alto sax. Since there were no buses from Corning to the farm in Taylor County, she would stay in Corning during the week in a private home and return to the farm on weekends.

Following graduation, Mary worked at local businesses, primarily as a bookkeeper, first at the Okey-Vernon Bank then Sickler Auto. She also worked on Thursday afternoons in the County Recorder’s office for Mary Ireland. Her final full-time employment was with Akin Lumber, after being recruited by Anita Akin to apply. Mary was an employee to both Don and Scott Akin for many years.

Mary met her husband, Joe Jones (son of Walter and Alice Jones), at a Corning Fireman’s Ball. A typical date might include attending local dances and socials at the Chicken Inn in Creston even though Joe couldn’t dance. They were married on October 9, 1950, with Father Powers presiding.

Throughout her life, Mary also was a reliable and long-term volunteer with several organizations, including: Catholic Daughters, American Legion Auxiliary (59 years as of 2012), Altar Society, and the St. Patrick’s Thrift Shop.

Joe passed away on December 5, 2009, and Mary sold her home in Corning on April 21, 2012, moving to Mercy Park Apartments in Des Moines to be closer to her family. In 2017, she moved to the Shores in Pleasant Hill where she lived until her passing.

Mary was known as a wonderful cook, especially when large family gatherings were held – her homemade noodles (a Harvey family Thanksgiving tradition), chocolate desserts (a favorite of her grand-daughters), raisin cream pies, chocolate chip cookies, and apple crisp dessert. Mary was not one to waste anything which resulted in her creating many hand-sewn quilts to be given to family and friends.

With Mary: FAMILY was #1 above all else. Mary is survived by both of her children: Ed (Sue) Jones of Ames, IA and Karen (Dan) Mullen of Memphis, TN. She has (5) grandchildren: Sarah (Dan) Fox (Jones) of Radcliffe, IA, Rachel (Nicholas) Schelle (Jones) of Ames, IA, Ashley Mullen of Phoenix, AZ, Adam (Amanda) Mullen of Arlington, TN, and Kristen Mullen of Memphis, TN. Mary’s family also includes (7) great-grandchildren: Molly/Peter/Sawyer Fox, Martha/Walter Schelle, Owen Mullen, and Drevin Mullen.

Mary is also survived by her brothers and sisters: Jack (Carolyn) Harvey of Plainwell, MI, Kathlyn (Virgil) Hillman of Pleasant Hill, IA, Bonnie Handley of Des Moines, IA, Peggy (Dave) Bauer of Longmont, CO, and Jim (Roberta) Harvey of Waukee, IA, as well as numerous nieces/nephews/and their children

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Joe’s parents, her husband, Dorothy (Jim) Walter – sister/husband, Carolyn (Gary) Haines - sister/husband, Jack Handley – brother-in-law, and Joe’s brother and sister - John (Mary) Jones and Mary Stone.