Robert 'Bob' E. Jones

Robert "Bob" E. Jones, 85, of Danville, IL passed away on February 6, 2024 at 1:38 PM at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Bob was born November 20, 1938 in Danville, IL, the son of Jewell and Julia (Foley) Jones and was raised by his father and step-mother, Jewell and Beulah Jones.

Survivors include his niece, Terry (John) Kubichan; nephew, Deak (Debbie) Holtz; sister-in-law, Charlotte Jones; as well as several great nieces and nephews, and special friends; Carla Priest, Jeff Sirratt and Jim Pope.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John and Charles Jones; sister, Juanita Holtz.

Bob was a member of the First Church of Nazarene in Danville, Anchor Lodge, and the Danville Lions Club. He attended Daniel Grade School and graduated from Danville High School in 1956. After graduation he attended Danville Junior College and Illinois State University in Normal, IL and served in the Army Reserves for eight years as a Cook. During High School, Bob was a Varsity Letterman and elected Captain of his wrestling team. Later in life, Bob officiated High School and Collegiate Wrestling for 21 years.

In 1952 Bob obtained his first job at Hall Grocery and went on to work at Jockos Root Beer and Putt -Putt Golf. In 1965 he opened Country Corner Farmers Market and drove a school bus in the off season. From 1970 to 1995 he operated Colonial Parkway Restaurant and later purchased the Dairy Queen, which he has operated for over 40 years. He served on the Danville Township Board as Treasurer from 1978 to 1986 and was elected Mayor of Danville from 1986 until 2002. Bob also served on the Economic Development Board and was instrumental in bringing McLane, Fiberteq, Alcoa and Sygma to the Danville area.

Bob was a member of the Anchor Lodge and became a 33rd Degree Mason in 1987. Through the Masonic Lodge he was instrumental in bringing the Childrens Dyslexia Center of Central Illinois to Danville. He was also a member of the Lions Club for over 50 years, cooking lots of chili, the Kiwanis, cooking many a pancake for their annual breakfast and also served on the Danville Township CRIS Board and the Vermilion County Board of Health.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, IL 61834. Pastor Dave Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 PM on Monday, February 12, 2024 with Masonic Rites conducted at 4:30 PM prior to visitation.

Memorials may be made in Roberts memory to the Childrens Dyslexia Center of East Central Illinois 109 W. North Street Danville, Illinois 61832.

Please join Roberts family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .