Donley "Don" Bennett Jones, age 84, of Dixon, was born December 17, 1937, in Maries County, the son of Bennett Garrett and Ethel Ira (Crismon) Jones, and passed from this life Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Maries Manor, Vienna.

Don accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior early in life while attending revival services being held in the Fox Crossing School building, near Dixon, and was baptized.  He attended church with his parents at the First Church of God in Dixon.

A graduate of Dixon High School, Don continued his education at Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana, where he majored in biology and minored in art. After graduation, Don taught for approximately ten years at Dixon and Mt. Grove, and after his teaching years, he continued his working career as a technician for the Missouri Department of Resources.

Don had a love for art and continued his education in art by taking graduate courses at Ball State University. His art was exhibited in a number of  juried shows in Missouri and the Midwest. Don's art was exhibited at the Missouri State Fair, art galleries, and art museums, including the Springfield Art Museum. He also enjoyed the history of his family and did genealogies for the Jones and Crismon families, and for a period of time, Don wrote poetry.

Those left to mourn the passing of Don include: His nieces, Paula Ray of Dixon, Missouri, Jill (Ray) Klein of Purdy, Missouri, and Dr. Bridget "Ann" Shannon of Frisco, Texas; his nephew, Dr. Bradley Kardatzke, of Irving, Texas; five great-nieces, Kayla, Kelsey, Ashley, Sarah, and Maegan; three great-nephews, Anthony, Logan, and Scott; two great-great-nieces, Khloe and Claire; four great-great-nephews, Bennett, Kamden, Andrew, and Kade; cousins, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Ethel Jones on March 8, 1970, and Bennett Jones on July 20, 1995; two sisters, Juanita "Ruth" Kardatzke on January 10, 2020, and Roma Lea Ray on August 26, 2020; two brothers-in-law, Miles "Mike" Kardatzke on January 3, 1999, and Paul Lionel Ray on June 29, 2016; one nephew and his wife, Jon Lyndon Ray on August 3, 2021, and Keri Danell Ray on July 28, 2021.

A graveside funeral service for Don will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in the Dixon Cemetery, West Chestnut Street, Dixon, Missouri 65459, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Dixon. Honorary pallbearers for Don are Paula Ray, Jill (Ray) Klein, Jon Lyndon Ray, Dr. Bradley Kardatzke, and Dr. Bridget "Ann" Shannon.

Fond and precious memories of Don will always be in the hearts of his dear family and all who knew and loved him.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Donley B. Jones are suggested to the Dixon Cemetery Perpetual Fund with envelopes available at the cemetery the day of service or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri 65459.