Levi W. Jones

Levi Warren Jones, beloved husband of Elizabeth "Betty" Jones (nee Renninger), of Batavia, Ohio, passed away on July 26, 2022, at the age of 84. He was born on February 25, 1938, in Fostoria, Ohio to Charles Jones and Bessie (nee Fox) Jones. Levi married his beautiful bride, Betty, on Sept. 7, 1959. Lee and Betty met when Lee's coworker asked Lee to pick up his girlfriend, Betty's friend, from a dance at Meadowbrook Park in Bascom, Ohio. Betty and her friend had plotted that if he was cute, Betty would sit in the middle next to him, and if he wasn't, then her friend would sit next to him. When Lee pulled up in a '55 Chevy, the friend shoved Betty into the car before she could even catch a glimpse. The rest was history - 65 glorious years together!

 

Lee was a 1956 graduate of Fostoria High School and started working at the Atlas Crankshaft Corporation before he even finished his education. He retired after 38 years while having worked in skilled trades, starting as a tool maker before transitioning to machine repair.

 

Family was always very important to Lee, and he found great joy being with them, creating memories playing games, going fishing, making homemade ice cream, and decorating cookies. When visiting with the grandkids, he would sneak out early in the mornings and buy donuts before anyone else woke up. When the grandkids visited him in Ohio, he was always ready to distribute ice cream sandwiches to all their smiling faces. In his free time, Lee loved woodworking, where he created personalized jigsaw puzzles, M&M candy machines, games, and quilt racks. He also enjoyed gardening with his wife, growing various colorful flowers and vegetables every year. After 50 years in the house they built themselves in New Riegel, Ohio, they moved to the Cincinnati area where they built a new home to be closer to their family.

 

Lee had a wonderful life which included being a current member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Cincinnati, as well as a former member of St. Boniface/All Saints Parish in New Riegel. He was a member of the Fostoria United Sportsmen Club and formerly served as the President of NRHS Athletic Boosters as well as a youth sports coach. Lee and Betty enjoyed traveling and have spent many happy times visiting various parts of the USA, including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as other places in Europe and the Caribbean. They particularly enjoyed traveling with a special group of friends to various places where they laughed together while they shared meals and played cards.

 

Lee's memory will live on in those that loved him, especially his wife: Betty Jones, children: Lawrence Jones, Patricia Jones-Parker (Michael), and Jim Jones (Tracey) as well as an honorary daughter, Laura Gokey Koehler. Lee was the best grandpa ever to Joshua Jones, Julia Nelle Parker Motts (Tate), Mackenzie Parker, Michael Parker, Standish Parker Forsythe (Marshall), Cassidy Parker, Greg Jones (Autumn), Matt Jones (Meghan), Trevor Jones (Molly), and Jamie Jones. He was also the proudest great-grandpa ever for Julia Hope, Trace, Becks, and Teddy. Lee was one of nine children, all who are previously deceased: Lawrence, Charles, Albert, Ora, Edwin, Gertrude, Thelma June, and Linda. Lee also leaves behind many loved nieces and nephews who are able to share stories of fun family memories.

 

The funeral is at Moore Family Funeral Homes, 225 Spring St, Batavia, OH 45103 Saturday, July 30. Visitation is from 11:00 am-1:00 pm. A service will be held at 1:00 pm followed by burial 2:30 at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

 

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Thomas More Church, 800 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45245