Joseph Melvin Jones

Joseph Melvin Jones, son of the late Melvin C. and Dorothy Jane (Brummel) Jones, was born on July 6, 1946 in Lynwood, CA, and departed this life on June 24, 2026 in Bolivar, MO. At the time of his passing he was 79 years, 11 months, and 18 days of age. Joe was born and raised in California. After completing high school, he was drafted into the United States Air Force where he served during the Vietnam War. After his service in the Air Force as a Life Support Sergeant, he served on the U.S.S. Richard S. Edwards and the U.S.S. Sommers as the Senior Machinist in the U.S. Navy. Joe’s next term of service was in the U.S. Army National Guard as a Staff Sergeant Combat Engineers - Platoon Commander. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force National Guard as a Tech Sergeant Civil Engineers. Joe then returned to the U.S. Navy. It was during this enlistment that Joe most proudly served in the Navy Seabees. He retired from the Navy after twenty years of military service in 1994. During his time serving his country, Joe showed great work ethic and leadership and was awarded the Presidential Citation, Outstanding Unit Citation, and Good Conduct Medals in both the Air Force and the Navy. Joe was united in marriage to Dianne Carol Graham on August 20, 1994 and together they spent almost 32 years traveling the country, spending time with their families, and providing their families with unconditional love and support. Joe loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and never missed a school activity or sporting event. He was also a devoted Mason and a Shriner. During his time as a Mason and Shriner, he spent time supporting his community and served as Rajah of the Pomme de Terre Shrine Club in 2000. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Dianne; his children, Laurie and husband Mark Larsen, Julie and husband Mike Syphert, Carol Lee, and Dawn and husband Darren Stidham; his grandchildren, Krista Gawlowski and husband Nick Kroll, Kyle and wife Emily Gawlowski, Erin Butler, Amanda and husband Chuck Elmore, Brandon Syphert, Matt Syphert, Jamie Syphert, Tyler Gunnerson and girlfriend Brooke Luquette, Shayla Blake and boyfriend Dusty McCaslin, David Lee, and Darion Lee; great-grandchildren, Iris McCaslin, Henry Elmore, and Vera Lee; and his siblings, Jim and wife Linda Jones and Evelyn and husband Phil Rusch. He also leaves behind other family members and many friends who will all truly miss him. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 in the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Memorial Gardens of Memory Cemetery with full Military Honors to follow. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Shriner's Hospital.

Joseph Melvin Jones

July 6, 1946 - June 24, 2026