Elmer Lyle Jones passed away Sunday, September 16, 2012. He was born June 7, 1920 in Ottawa County, Kansas to Ray Wilmer Jones & Minnie Florence (Bruce) Jones. He attended school at Lindsey and Pawnee Gap, Kansas. He graduated from Minneapolis High School in 1938. He joined the CCC camp in 1939 and then the US Navy on January 16, 1940. He went aboard the Destroyer USS Hammann DD412. He was aboard ship at the battle of the Coral Sea and on June 6, 1942 his ship was sunk at the battle of Midway earning Elmer the Purple Heart. He ended his Naval duties on Roi Island in the Marshall Chain and was there when WWII ended. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He was discharged from the Navy on January 30, 1946. Elmer worked in Civil Service as a heating foreman at Schilling AFB, Salina, KS, Forbes AFB, Topeka, KS and the VA Hospital in Topeka. He retired in 1977 and settled in Salina, KS with his wife, Vesta. Elmer enjoyed gardening, especially flowers and other yard work. He also loved birds and horses, reading and emailing his many friends and family on his computer. Elmer & Vesta enjoyed going to his ship's reunions. Elmer was a member of the VFW and NARFE.


While in the Navy Elmer married Vesta Doris McGowan September 18, 1943 in Minneapolis, KS. To this union one daughter was born, Marva Lynn Jones Homrighausen of Paola, KS where she lives with her husband Harold. Elmer was preceded in death by his wife Vesta, sisters Mildred Nicholson of Abilene, KS, LaVera Young of Utah, and one brother Alvin Turner Jones of Salina, KS. Elmer is survived by his daughter Marva Homrighausen, son-in-law Harold Homrighausen and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. Friday at Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle, Minneapolis, where the family will receive friends from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. The funeral will be Saturday, September 22 at 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis, KS alongside his dear wife, Vesta. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Kevin Shirk Family Trust for Michael and Brady Shirk or the Presbyterian Manor Employee's Christmas Fund.