John Frederick 'Coach' Jones

83 year old, J. Frederick “Coach” Jones Jr., of Rensselaer, passed away at 4:20 p.m. on July 31, 2001.

‘Coach’ was born on January 8, 1918, in Gary, Indiana to Alice (Drake) Jones and Jack (John Frederick) Jones Sr. He graduated from Horace Mann High School and attended St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer where he attained his teaching degree. On February 18, 1950 at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, he married the love of his life, Rosemary Longstreth.

Fred served in the Asiatic – Pacific campaign, and participated in action against the enemy at Guadalcanal in 1942 to 1944, and Guam in 1944. Fred was a member of the American Legion Post #29 of Rensselaer, Indiana. Fred was a member of the St. Augustine’s Catholic Church of Rensselaer, Indiana. Coach taught for 30 years at Wheatfield High School and Kankakee Valley School Corporation and was Kankakee Valley School Corporation’s first Athletic Director for 3 year.

Fred ‘Coach’ is survived by his family: wife: Rosemary, children: John (Marsha) Jones, Mary Kenning, Margaret (Rick) Seymour, and Ed (Lori) Jones and 3 foster children: Michael (Shirley) Willoughby, Dan Willoughby, and Brian Willoughby, 12 grandchildren.

Fred ‘Coach’ was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, 1 sister, and 1 foster child.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, August 2, 2001 at the Boersma Funeral Home, 90 East Grove St., Wheatfield, Indiana from 2:00 until 9:00 p.m. Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be at Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church on Friday, August, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Philip Mahalic officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Calvery Cemetery, Rensselaer, Indiana.

Memorials may be given to the Heart Fund or the Shriner’s Foundation.