Howard Francis Jones

Howard Francis Jones, 77, of Syracuse, passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at his home. He was born February 27, 1943 in Leon, Iowa, a son of Lebert and Mildred (Fry) Jones. On June 7, 1963 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church he married Martha Sue "Marty" Stemberger. Howard was a member of the Syracuse Baptist Church. He worked many years for Fisher's in Tipton and later for Fuqua Homes in Boonville. In his younger years he was a pitcher for his fastpitch softball team. Howard enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shooting skeet. He loved to mow his yard and thought it needed to be mowed almost every day. What brought Howard the most joy was being able to spoil his grandchildren every chance he could. Survivors include his wife Marty of 57 years; one daughter, Tammy Koechner of Syracuse; five grandchildren, Michelle Hodler (Brett), Cody Koechner, Jeramey Koechner (Shonda), Leah Lagares (Dan), and Hannah Jones; eight great-grandchildren, Addison Hodler, Carter and Carsyn Petree, Tucker Hazlett, Avery Jones, Blakely Lagares, Whitley Francis Koechner, and a baby girl Koechner on the way; one brother, Dennis Jones (Loretta) of Columbia, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Fern Jones and Wanda Jones both of California, Mo. In addition to both of his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Lee Jones; two brothers, Jack and Donald Jones; and one sister, Alice Marie Jones. Funeral services were held Monday, November 23 at Meisenheimer Funeral Home. Burial followed with his son Timothy buried with him in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Florence. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to the Hospice Promise Foundation.