Eleanor J. Jones

Eleanor Jane (Smith) Jones, a longtime resident of South Williamsport, died on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Easton, where she had resided in a memory care home since 2019. She was 91.
Born on Sept. 26, 1934, in Bratenahl, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Linnie (Bechdel) Smith and Merril Calvin Smith.
Eleanor was a graduate of Mill Hall High School and the State Teachers College in Lock Haven (later, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania). Eleanor taught in public school districts for five years before marrying and starting a family. In 1974, she became the founding teacher of the Messiah Lutheran Church preschool program in South Williamsport. She continued with the program for 20 years, retiring in 1994.
Eleanor wed Charles A. Jones in June 1961. They were married for 51 years, until Charlie's death in 2012. The couple raised three children. Eleanor was devoted to her family and to her church, modeling the Christian call to service by volunteering on church committees, delivering food to shut-ins and ailing neighbors, becoming a literacy tutor, and otherwise contributing to her community. She enjoyed decorating her home for holidays as well as making social calls and having meals with friends and family, especially her cherished siblings and cousins.
Dementia stole Eleanor's memory but not her character. She handled the disease with grit and grace. In that respect, she was a teacher to the end.
In addition to her parents and husband, Eleanor was preceded in death by brothers Glenn, Harold, and David Smith; and sisters Mary Eisenhower and Louise Kramer.
She is survived by sister Ruth Berry, of Loganton; daughter Barbara Nichols (Brian), Hershey; sons Thomas (Scott Poppele), Bethlehem, and Mark (Pam Fendrock), Kingston; grandson Joseph Nichols, Tempe, AZ; and her nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 324 S. Howard St., South Williamsport. A time of fellowship will follow the service in the church social hall. Private burial was conducted at the Montoursville Cemetery.
Rather than floral tributes, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Eleanor's name to the Messiah Lutheran Church preschool scholarship fund, 324 S. Howard St., South Williamsport, PA 17702, or the James V. Brown Memorial Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
Arrangements are entrusted to Maneval Allen Redmond Funeral Home, 500 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.jamesmaneval.com.
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