FALL RIVER—Mary Ellen Jones age 73, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at the Columbus Community Hospital. Mary Ellen was born in the Calamus Township on January 2, 1940 to John and Ellen (O'Connor) Hartt. She graduated from Fall River High School in 1957. Mary Ellen went on to become a student teacher at Columbia County Normal Teacher's College in Columbus at the age of 19. She met Oliver "Bud" Jones Jr. in 1962 and they were married on August 14, 1965. They have lived in Fall River ever since. Mary Ellen went on to teach at St. Patrick's and St. Peters Catholic Schools in Beaver Dam for 13 years and Fall River School for the next 26 years. Mary Ellen graduated from Marian College in Fond du Lac and received her Bachelor of Arts in Education. She went on to UW Whitewater and obtained a Master's Degree in Education. Mary Ellen retired after 40 years of teaching in 1999. Mrs. Jones was passionate about teaching even after retirement, and continued on as a Substitute Teacher for several years. Marry Ellen also loved to travel. She went on trips to Ireland, England and Alaska with many trips throughout Wisconsin and Michigan's U.P. In fact, it was not unusual at all for her and Bud to "Go on a ride" that lasted a couple of days. Mary Ellen was a member of St Patrick Catholic Church in Beaver Dam for many years and is a current member of St Jerome's Catholic Church in Columbus. Mary Ellen and Bud were avid snow mobile riders and founding members of the Columbus-Fall River Sno Blazers. Mary Ellen was an active member of the Columbia County Area Retired Teachers Association. Mary Ellen and Bud have continued to own and operate Hartt's Tap (The Blue Room) in Fall River since 1977 which was her father's from the 1940's.
Survivors include her husband, Oliver W. "Bud" Jones Jr. of Fall River; a sister, Ethel Machkovch of Beaver Dam; three nephews, Brian (Heather) Frank, Randy Frank and David (Jodi) Guelzow; many grand nephews and grand nieces, other relatives and friends. Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Jo Ann Frank, Kathy Bleich and Pearl Hermanson; two brothers, John Hartt Jr. and John Ekel; a nephew, Timothy J Frank.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at ST JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH, Columbus. Rev. Steve Kortendick wofficiated. Interment was in the Fall River Cemetery, Fall River. Visitation was from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home, and from 9:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or your local school.