Obituary of Reverend Wesley Glenn Jones

Reverend Wesley Glenn Jones

November 11, 1921 — December 1, 2020

Born in King Hill, Idaho to parents Henry C. and Anita Gail (Saddler) Jones, Wesley

grew up and completed his early schooling in a rural environment. During his senior year

in high school, he contracted measles which resulted in a gradual loss of eyesight,

ending in blindness in later years. The Idaho State Vocational Rehabilitation Department

assisted him with a four-year scholarship to the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho.

After graduation he taught in Roswell Rural High School in Roswell, Idaho for a year.

The United Presbyterian Church of North America helped sponsor his education at

Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he graduated

with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1947. Although a long way from Idaho, Wesley was glad

for the experience in Pittsburgh as his parents had grown up there before moving to

Idaho. He made contacts with relatives and became acquainted with extended family

members.

He married Helen Kathryn Mills and the young couple traveled to New Concord, Ohio,

where Wesley assumed the position of assistant professor of Bible and Religion in

Muskingum College. Wishing to complete his goal of achieving a Degree in Christian

Education, the couple returned to Pennsylvania where Wesley enrolled in the University

of Pittsburgh. It was a challenging time with a new family, studies, and work as a

student pastor in a local church. Despite the handicap of failing sight, he persevered and

received a Master of Education.

There were challenges yet to come. Because of poor vision, he was denied a driver’s

license, so he began his lifetime use of a bicycle to conduct his pastoral duties. His first

call as a minister was to the United Presbyterian Church in Traer, Iowa, then followed

Worland, Wyoming, and in 1963 the family came to Bethany Presbyterian Church in

Ontario, Oregon. It was here that Kathryn died after a long illness. In 1972 Wesley

began his ministry as Counselor and Director of Religious Activities in the Presbyterian

Nursing Home in Ontario.

During his active years he developed a power of memory recall which enabled him to

memorize the Scriptures and his sermon for weekly worship services. He used sense of

touch to accomplish many tasks and to function in everyday life. In all, Wesley was a

remarkable person who kept a positive attitude despite his disabilities. After retiring he

and his second wife, Ilea, enjoyed many outdoor activities with family and friends until

he could no longer participate. He completed his life’s journey on December 1, 2020.

Wesley is survived by his daughter, Shirley Raner, and son, Neal Jones, wife Ilea,

grandchildren Tad Jones and KayT Garrett, and several nieces and nephews. He was

preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Kathryn, and his two brothers, Frank

and Tom Jones.

Memorial services will be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Arrangements by Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario. 

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Reverend Wesley Jones, please visit Tribute Store