Obituary for Norman Wiley Jones

This world said goodbye to Norman Wiley Jones, a “grateful” man devoted to his family and community, on Dec. 26, 2023 at the age of 97. Norman was born Dec. 14, 1926 on the family farm in the Red Brush area of Benton County, Iowa to Wiley and Bertha (Reisser) Jones. After living in Rowley, Shellsburg and Independence, his parents, brother Gerald, Norman and sister Evelyn resided in Urbana, Iowa. Norman was a US Army veteran, drafted on his birthday in 1944, graduated from Urbana high school in May 1945 and left for basic training the day after graduation. He served in Frankfurt, Germany, typing in the G3 Division at the IG Farben Building, the HQ of the US Forces European Theater. Upon his honorable discharge in Oct. 1946 as Sergeant, Tech 4, he took advantage of the GI Bill and received his Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) in winter 1951.

Norman’s 37-year teaching career, all in West Union, began in the fall of 1952 teaching industrial arts and ended in May 1989 with the majority of his years spent teaching junior high social studies. He coached football and baseball but for many years concentrated on junior high basketball. Katherine Smith also joined WUHS staff in the fall of 1952 as an English teacher. Romance blossomed and Miss Smith and Mr. Jones got married on May 30, 1954. Daughters Deborah, Kathleen and Nancy (the 3 Jones girls) were welcomed into the family.

Besides teaching, Norman was a self-employed housepainter. His volunteer time was generously spent with Zion Lutheran Church, Lions Club, American Legion, Good Samaritan Board, SHIIP Organization, History and Literary Club, Palmer Lutheran Hospital Board and the West Union Ambulance Service. His hobbies were gardening, fishing, golfing, camping and reading any type of non-fiction history.

Norman is survived by Deborah Lutyen, West Union; Kathleen (Wayne) Abrahamson, Boone; Nancy Jones, Omaha NE; two grandsons - Vincent (Mary) Abrahamson, Madison WI and Craig Abrahamson, Austin TX and two great grandchildren - Miles and Jovie Abrahamson, Madison WI. Also survived by sister Evelyn Suchomel, Cedar Rapids and brother-in-law Roger Smith, West St. Paul MN and seven devoted nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, wife Katherine on May 23, 2010, brother Gerald and in-laws Shirley Jones, David Suchomel, Howard and Lavonne Smith and sons-in-law David Lutyen and Claude Brinson.

Iowa Cremation is assisting the family. Visitation is on Friday January 5 from 4 to 7 pm at Zion Lutheran Church, West Union with Celebration of Life service on Saturday January 6 at 10:30 am with visitation one hour before. Inurnment will be in the West Union Cemetery with military rites provided by American Legion Post 15. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to West Union Recreation Foundation, Zion Lutheran Church Endowment Fund and North Fayette Valley Fine Arts Boosters.