Donnie Merle Jones' Obituary
Merle's service can be lived streamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/donnie-merle-jones
Donnie Merle Jones, Jr. (Merle) passed away on Friday, October 21st at his home with his daughters, Alicia and Kalea, and dogs Tucker and Ethel, by his side.
Merle was born on October 18, 1959 to Donnie Merle Jones, Sr. and Karen (Sebben) Jones. He was later joined by brothers Michael and Chris. Merle was a Plano boy through and through and grew up playing wiffle ball at Sherrards, baling hay, and getting into whatever mischief that might happen to come his way.
After graduating from Seymour High School in 1978, Merle attended Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville and then transferred to Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa where he earned his teaching degree. Later he also obtained a masters degree in education. Merle taught briefly in Texas before moving back to Iowa in 1987 and it was then that a legendary softball coach was born. In his 34 year career, Merle coached thousands of softball girls in communities throughout southern Iowa, including Moravia, Keokuk, and Centerville. He led his teams to five state softball appearances (twice at Moravia and three times at Keokuk) and it was under his leadership that Keokuk won five Southeast Conference titles and six regional softball titles. In 2012 Merle was inducted into the Iowa Softball Coaches Hall of Fame and in June of 2020 he earned his 800th career win as a high school head softball coach. Later in his coaching career Merle lent his talents to John Wood Community College in Quincy, Illinois.
Merle passed his passion for softball to his daughters, who both played for him during his years at Keokuk. In fact, it became a bit of a tradition that he would blast the music of his favorite artist, Bruce Springsteen, each day upon arrival at the softball field to wake the girls up. He knew every word to all The Boss' songs and would enthusiastically sing along, albeit not well. His love of softball was not limited to his own teams. He enjoyed traveling each spring to assist Mike Christener and the William Penn softball team.Merle was an avid fan of the St Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Iowa State Cyclones. He also looked forward each year to camping at the Iowa State Fair, where he could often be found meeting up in the beer tent with buddies from Plano. Merle loved a good "debate" and would take any opportunity to engage in one with whoever would take his bait. While he certainly had his hot headed moments, Merle was a teddy bear that would do anything for his family. He was a regular visitor in his parents' home and in more recent years loved sitting down to a George and Nick's pizza with his mom and nephew, Jalen.
Left to treasure memories of Merle are his daughters Alicia (Brett) Babington and Kalea (Jake Reynolds) Jones, his mother Karen Jones, his brothers Mike (Sandy) Jones and Chris (Sheila Davis) Jones, as well as his nieces and nephews and their families: Nicole (Jason) Klaver, Chase (Megan) Jones, Chance (Emma) Jones, Jalen Jones, and Jacey (Justin) Spurgeon. He was preceded in death by his father, Donnie Merle Jones, Sr. as well as a niece, Michelle Jones.
Funeral service for Merle will be 1:30 PM, Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville. Interment will immediately follow at Crossroads Cemetery near Plano. Visitation will take place all day Tuesday at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville with family present from 5-7 PM. Memorials may be given to Merle's family and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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