Norman Jones

1923-2020

Posted

Norman Dempsey Jones, 97, Belle, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, at Stonebridge Senior Living in Hermann.

He was born Nov. 18, 1923, in Dixon, the son of Clay and Mayme (Nichols) Jones. He was one of five children born to this union.

Norman attended school in Dixon.

He was united in marriage to Naomi Pendleton, Feb. 3, 1943, at the courthouse in Vienna by Judge Fred Hilton. From this union, two children were born. Janet and Craig.

Sgt. Norman Dempsey Jones was inducted into the Army Air Force on Feb. 5, 1943. He left from Vienna and reported to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. He was sent to Sheppard Field, Texas, for basic training, then to Chanute Field, Ill., for school. He finished his training in Windover Field, Utah. From there, he was assigned to an overseas unit in Pocatello, Idaho. He left the United States from Norfolk, Va., and arrived in Africa on March 3, 1944. On April 3, 1944, he left Africa and arrived in Italy on April 9, 1944. He was awarded seven bronze stars, a good conduct medal, two distinguished unit citations and an oak leaf cluster. He served approximately three years with the 15th Air Force and in the 464th Bomb group as an Sgt. in Italy. His battle and campaigns include Rome-Arno, air combat in the Balkans, Rhineland, Northern France, Northern Apennines, Po-Valley and Southern France. After the war in Europe ended, he was sent to Trinidad, then to Puerto Rico, later arriving in Miami on Sept. 13, 1945. He was discharged at Jefferson Barracks on Sept. 24, 1945, and arrived in Belle that night. Other citations and awards Dempsey received include, a certificate and medal for service in WWII from the state of Missouri, a ribbon and medal for service from 1941-1945 from France and a certificate of accommodation, a ribbon, and a medal for being a member of the allied force in the D-day invasion.

Following his service to his country, Dempsey came home and started driving a truck for a mining company (at Bledsoe), then spent 32 years working for the Brown Shoe Company starting as a stock clerk, assistant foreman, foreman and assistant supervisor. He worked in Owensville, Dixon and Trenton, Ill. He retired from Grinco Sign in Owensville in 1986.

Dempsey was a member of the First Christian Church in Belle and served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Elder, and Chairman of the Board. He was a member of Belle Lodge No. 373 A.F. & A.M., receiving his 50 year pin in 2003, was a member of the Scottish Rite in Columbia where he was a 32nd degree, a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Gun Club in Owensville and a lifetime member of the 464th Bomb Group U.S. Air Force. He also obtained his own private pilot license.

He was preceded in death by one brother and his wife, J.R and Sally Jones; one sister and her husband, Dorothy and Victor Jones; and one son-in-law Ronald Schultz.

In addition to his wife of almost 78 years, he is survived by one daughter, Janet Schultz; one son, Craig Jones and his wife Donna; five grandchildren, Lori Schultz and her boyfriend Jeff Randall, Lyle Schultz and his wife Angie, Lisa Schultz and her boyfriend Lamont Franklin, Raquel Bunton and her husband Terry and Stephanie Jones and Laura Cossey; five great-grandchildren, Deaunté Jefferson and his girlfriend Cassidi Rodriquez, Olivia Bunton and her fiancé Colton Moore, Mitch Schultz and his wife Miranda, Keyahn Franklin and Xander Bunton and his girlfriend Shelby Jones; three great-great-grandchildren, Andre, Tyson and Bryer; two sisters, Ruth Allee and Helen Cartwright; as well as many extended family members and friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 18, at First Christian Church in Belle with Mitchell Seaton officiating. Interment was in Countryside Memorial Gardens near Bland with full military honors.

Arrangements entrusted to Sassmann’s Chapel in Belle.