James Merlin Jones

James Merlin Jones, 82, of Allen, Nebraska entered eternal life on May 18, 2011, in the loving care of Matney’s Colonial Manor. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in Allen; Pastor Sheila Taylor will be officiating. The visitation will be on Friday from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Allen United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Eastview Cemetery. Merlin was the youngest of three children born to Leo Merle and Edna Ideen Jones of Allen, Nebraska on August 17, 1928. He attended South Valley country school and graduated in 1946 from Allen High School in Allen, Nebraska. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church of Allen. Merlin married Eleanor Malcom in 1950. He was a Corporal in the army for two years stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Merlin and Eleanor returned home in 1953, where they farmed with his father. After his father’s retirement the couple continued to farm and raise livestock. Merlin and Eleanor received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award for 100 years of continuous family ownership which began in 1891. He was a very competent baseball player who played from the first time he was allowed on the field to long after most players had hung up their glove. Merlin was hired by area teams for many years to pitch. His love for baseball began with playing catch with his dad. Merlin would bring a ball and glove to the thrashing bees where he was always able to coerce someone into playing catch during any spare moment. He enjoyed playing baseball for both Wakefield and Wayne town teams. Merlin was also a coach for the Allen Legion baseball team. He later umpired legion baseball games. Merlin served on school boards for both the local country school and Allen school. He served on the church board at the United Methodist Church and the Allen elevator board. Merlin was devoted to his family. He was known to dance his grandchildren around the house. He believed in taking good care of the land and his livestock as well as his menagerie of pets. Merlin is survived by his beloved wife, Eleanor, of 60 years, their adoring children and families, Deborah and Bruce Lundahl of Wakefield, Sandra and Rick Driskell of Wakefield, Terri and Bart Gotch of South Sioux City, Shari of Allen, and Stacey and Kevin Woodward of Concord. Merlin’s grandchildren include Brook Lundahl, Andrea Blecke and husband Wes, Jennifer Gotch, Brett Gotch, Dexter Driskell, Desiree Driskell, Megan Black, Levi Woodward, and Cole Woodward, as well as great grandchildren Treton, Easton, and Kennasyn Blecke. He is also survived by his sister, Gail Hill and husband Keith, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Roberta Lynn, his parents, his sister, Arlene Luhr, and aunts, and uncles.