James Alphonse Jones, 75, of West Brooklyn, passed away Monday, November 1, 2021 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, West Brooklyn with Father Fronek officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, West Brooklyn with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with a 3:15 p.m. rosary. Masks and social distancing are required at the funeral home and church.

Jim was born June 23, 1946 in Mendota to Sylvester "Barney" and Hilda (Chaon) Jones. Jim married the first love of his life, Margarite Pitstick, on November 2, 1968 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Earlville. They had two daughters Julie and Stephanie. After Margarite's passing in 1989, Jim fell in love with and married Peggy (Sarver) Montavon on November 19, 1993. Jim gained another daughter, Korenna.

Jim was a 1964 graduate of Mendota High School. He served in the Army Reserves for 6 years. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all those who knew him. He worked on the family farm alongside his brother Butch and was co-owner of Jones Brother's Trucking. He loved spending time with his wife, Peggy and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to fish at his pond and enjoyed taking in the wildlife near his farm. He enjoyed going for rides in his Can-Am alongside his trusty companion Minnie and going away on weekends spending quality time with his siblings. He loved to talk and would strike up a conversation with anyone he would meet and had a loving heart big enough for the world. When he wasn't talking with friends and family you could find him watching his favorite western movies. Jim had a passion for life and will be truly missed by all.

Jim is survived by his wife of 27 years, Peggy Jones; two daughters, Julie (Mike) Kessinger of Ottawa and Stephanie (Ron) Smith of Peru; step-daughter, Korenna (Ron Robb) Montavon of Amery, WI; grandchildren, Brittany, Tiffany, Tyler, Cody, Preston, Steven, Veronica, Ben, and Henry; siblings, Raphael (June) Jones, Judy (Walter) Piller, Sylvester "Butch" (Mary) Jones, Connie (Jerry) Northcutt, Stephen (Janice) Jones, and Debbie (Mark) Walter; sister in law Janet Jones as well as many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dennis Jones; great niece Charlee Buettner and his late wife, Margarite Jones.