NAPPANEE – Velma Feiler Jones, 88, of Heritage House, Nappanee, and formerly of Marshall, Mich., died at 4:30 a.m. Feb. 21, 2012.
She was born April 6, 1923, in Tekonsha, Mich., to Paul and Ina Schear Dean. In 1941, she married Laurence “Larry” Feiler Jr., who died in 1991. She later married Richard Jones in Battle Creek, Mich. He died in 2009.
She graduated as class valedictorian from Tekonsha and attended business college in Kalamazoo. She was a homemaker and worked at Bell Telephone Co., Coldwater, Mich., and The Wolverine Engraving Co., Tekonsha. She was a member of the board of directors of Goodwill in Battle Creek. She was a member of Union Church, United Church of Christ, Tekonsha, as well as the United Methodist Church, Marshall and Battle Creek. She was active in the “Sweet Adelines”, Coldwater, Mich., for many years.
Surviving are two daughters, Kathy Grant, Coldwater, and Laurel (and spouse Loren) Turner, Arizona; a son, L.G. “Gus” (and spouse Teri) Feiler, Elkhart; seven grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Ruth Branch, Jackson Mich. She was preceded in death by a son, a grandson and two brothers.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Union Church United Church of Christ, Tekonsha, with the Rev. Barbara L. Pryor officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Tekonsha.
Calling is from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at the church.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorials may be made to The Center for Hospice Care, Hospice House, Elkhart, IN.
