CROMWELL —  Marilyn Jean Southward Jones, age 77, and formerly of Marion, Ohio, died Sunday at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, following a long, hard and ferocious battle with cancer.

On Oct. 2, 1935, Marilyn was born in Marion, Ohio, one of 11 children of the late Harley and Lena (Bash) Southward.

Shortly before graduating, Marilyn married a young veteran who had just recently been discharged from serving in the Air Force, Jon Roger “J.R.” Jones, on March 14, 1954. Together they shared more than 58 years of marriage and lovingly raised five children. He preceded her in death Nov. 10, 2012.

In the late 1980s, Marilyn and Jon moved to Cromwell for his work with ConRail, where they resided at Lake Wawasee. While there, she was active with the Women’s Auxiliary with the American Legion in Syracuse and had served as their secretary for many years.

Marilyn will be dearly missed by her five children, Cynthia (Randy) Hartman of Marion, Ohio, Candice (Gregg) Shelton of Smithfield, Va., Jon R. Jones II of Cromwell, Daniel (Jon’na) Jones of Marion, Ohio, and David (Tanya) Jones of Goshen; nine beloved grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as MeMa, Jeremy (Jennifer) Hartman, Jared Hartman, Jeffrey (Amy) Hartman, Jennifer Hartman, Ashley Music, Jessica (Jory) Baugher, Matthew Jones, Casey Jones and Sarah Shelton; eight great-grandchildren, Kelsey Hartman, Kyle Hartman, Cana Stiverson, Aidan Hartman, Tristan Hartman, Zeke Hartman, Brynna Hartman and Cason Marks; a sister, Mildred Prater of Marion, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews who remember her fondly.

Marilyn’s family will greet friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion, Ohio.

Services celebrating her life will follow there at 10 a.m. with her nephew, Pastor Richard Prater, officiating.

Burial will follow in Marion Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in care of the American Cancer Society, 5555 Frantz Rd., Dublin, OH 43017.

Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Marilyn’s family. Your private condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.