U.S. Veteran Melvin G. Jones, 81 years of age, of Van Buren, Arkansas, formerly of Beatrice, NE. passed away at the St. Edwards Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas Thursday night, August 30, 2012. He was born on July 6, 1931 in Beatrice to George and Ida (Jones) Jones, attended the Beatrice Public Schools, and earned his GED. He also had grown up in Lincoln, NE. At age 16, Melvin began serving his country in the United States Navy for 3 years, and then 18 years in the United States Air Force retiring on July 22, 1968 as a re-fueling mid-air boom operator. He had lived in Las Vegas and had worked as a bank manager (3 years) and at the Horseshoe and Golden Nugget Casino’s (14 years). He and Valdean (Helton) Mahan were married on August 6, 1988. Melvin had been a member of the American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars Clubs in Nebraska, and enjoyed playing sports, fishing, golfing, and traveling.

Survivors include his wife Valdean Jones of Van Buren, AR.; sons Mark Jones and wife Fran of Lincoln, Blake Jones and wife Debbie, and Robert Jones, all of Las Vegas; daughter Connie Mathews and husband Jim of Las Vegas; 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; step daughter Marie Mahan of Southgate, KY.; and nephews and nieces Darrell Wilson and wife Katie, and Jan Houseman and husband Wayne, Jennie Arnold, all of Beatrice, and Larry Wilson and wife Edith of Scottsbluff, NE. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents George and Ida (Jones) Jones; daughter Dede Jones; 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 6, 2012 at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with Jon Palmquist officiating. Interment will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery, R. Pickrell, NE. Military graveside services will be provided by the Offutt Airforce Base Honor Guard. The body will lie in state Wednesday from 1-9:00 P.M. and until 10:30 Thursday at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. A memorial has been established to the family’s choice with the funeral home in charge. Sign Melvin’s guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.

Obituary courtesy of Rich Funeral Home.