Elmer Franklin Jones Jr., 85, of Maddock, ND passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2016 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, ND. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, December 23, 2016 at the Zion Lutheran Brethren Church in Maddock, ND with Pastor Luther "Lu" Mathison officiating. Visitation will begin two hours prior to the service at the church. Music will be provided by Kathy Daeley and Paul Odden Jr. Burial will take place at the West Minnewaukan Free Lutheran Cemetery in the spring. Casket Bearers will be Brad Odden, Danny Odden, Kenny Odden, Roger Odden, Jerry Odden, Donny Odden, Curtis Odden, Ricky Odden, Paul Odden, Palmer Odden Jr., Emil Kraft and Terry Solberg.

Elmer Franklin Jones Jr. was born August 26, 1931, the sixth child born to Elmer F. Sr. and Betsy (Soggie) Jones on the family farm in Aurora Township. He attended township schools and attended high school in Erie, ND, while he worked on his uncle's farm. In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Elmer was sent to Korea in 1954, the Philippine Islands in 1958 and Viet Nam in 1966. He served the air force in bases in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Montana, Puerto Rico and retired from Minot AFB in July 1972 after 20 years of service. Elmer married Constance Stewart from Harrisville, MI in 1956. Connie passed away in June 1961. Three children were born to this union: Brenda, Randall and Mark. Elmer married Barbara Vang on October 20, 1962. Four children were born to this union: Elliot, Elaine, Edward and Jason.

After retiring from the service, Elmer and his family lived one year in Peoria, AZ and West Fargo, ND, where he attended Hanson's Mechanical School in Fargo, ND. In 1974, the family settled in Maddock where Elmer worked at Summers Manufacturing and then the Great Plains Lumber Yard until its closure. Elmer enjoyed time spent with family, mowing his lawn, tending to the garden, driving his Mazda and his dog, Mocha.

Elmer is survived by his children, Brenda (Harold) Fossen of Maddock, ND, Randy (Tammie) Jones of Klamath Falls, OR, Mark Jones (Rebecca Eback) of Devils Lake, ND, Elliot (Ann) Jones of Maddock, ND, Elaine Jones (Tony Delorme) of Maddock, ND, Edward Jones of Commerce City, CO and Jason (Mary) Jones of Maddock, ND; 13 grandchildren, Kelly, Bryan, Patricia, Khristina, Alex, Rhiannon, Alyssa, Kendra, Erika, Colton, Paige, Maya and Tucker; 4 step grandchildren, Tyler, Quentin, Spencer, Maddy; 8 great-grandchildren, Zach, Ashton, Eli, Leah, Marcus, Katrina, Cathrine and Laney; sister, Donna Fillner of Madison, WI; many nieces and nephews; special niece, Wynell Kraft.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer F. Sr. and Betsy (Soggie) Jones; first wife, Constance (Stewart) Jones, infant daughter, Cindy Lou; siblings, Francis (Evelyn) Jones, Russell Jones, Dalen (Marion) Jones, Lennis Jones, Freeman Jones, Fern (Palmer) Odden, Eunice (Lars) Swenson, Carol (Norlin) Solberg and Shirley (Wayne) Rolle.