PEKIN ~ Ira C. Jones, 91, of 2220 State Street, passed away at 9:35 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at Timbercreek Rehab & Health Care in Pekin.  He was formerly of Peoria Heights.

Born August 13, 1918 in Middleport, Ohio to Ira C. and Ethel (Taylor) Jones, Sr., he married Betty Katherine Nixon on November 30, 1940 in Peoria.  She died March 15, 2009 in Peoria.  He also was preceded in death by his parents; one sister and one brother.

Also surviving are two daughters, Rebecca A. Dalrymple of La Fayette and Mary K. (Chuck) Hinrichs of Marquette Heights; one son, David F. (Gail) Jones of Loveland, Colorado; five grandchildren, Jerry Shriber, Jodi (Jim) Stotler of Bradford, Jason (Jenny) Shriber of Williamsfield, Rebecca (Blake) MacArty of Colorado, and Lydia Hinrichs of Marquette Heights; five great-grandchildren and one sister-in-law, Jean (Vern) Long of Peoria.  He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Ira was a proud combat veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Army in the European Theater as a machine gunner.

Ira worked for WABCO in Peoria for 40 years, retiring in 1980 as a plant superintendant.

He was a member of Dayton Avenue Baptist Church in Peoria, where he was a longtime Deacon and Sunday school teacher.

Ira loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the caregivers at Timbercreek for all their love and support.

His funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 2, 2010 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  Pastor Jim Richardson and John Murray, his nephew, will officiate.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral on Monday.  Burial will be in Oak Grove Evangelical Bible Church Cemetery in East Peoria, with military rites accorded by the United States Army and the Tazewell Military Rites Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to Timbercreek Rehab & Health Care Activity Fund, 2220 State Street, Pekin, IL 61554.