Thomas Franklin Jones

Thomas Franklin Jones, 78, Retired Businessman and Former Mayor of Litchfield, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.

Born in Litchfield on June 2, 1944, to Robert and Catherine Lovine “Katie” (Burkhart) Jones. He attended Litchfield schools until the family moved away and he graduated from East Alton – Wood River High School with the Class of 1962. Tom was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War.  He married the former Nancy Ellen Morgan on February 19, 1965 at the Barnett Christian Church, and she survives.

Tom worked for several years at Allis-Chalmers / Fiat – Allis in Springfield. He was a welder and then moved to accounts payable invoice auditing offices until the plant’s closure. He then went to work for Harry Dillebaugh at the Village Time Keeper in the Litchfield Shopping Plaza. Tom and Nancy purchased the business and renamed it as Park Place Jewelry for thirty years, retiring in 2019.

Tom honorably served the City of Litchfield as elected Alderman for the fourth ward for one term and as Mayor for two terms.  A member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge #1634 of Litchfield, VFW Post #3912, the Fiat Retiree’s Club, and the Retail Jewelers Organization where he and Nancy enjoyed traveling to many of the jewelry shows and conventions. They also enjoyed going to dances. 

In addition to his wife Nancy, Tom is survived by several nieces and nephews, Sandra Boone and Rick Boone both of Port St. Lucie, FL., Paula (Paul Girouard) Sullivan of CT., Michael (Marcy) Ohren of Papillion, NE., Dori Wotus of Chicopee, MA., David (Michelle) Cronkright of MA., Rick (Michelle White) Morgan of Farmersville, IL Debbie (Mark) Stewart of Gillespie, IL., Kristine (Bradley) Schnitker of Hoyleton, IL and Jo Anna Williams of Litchfield. Brother-in-law Chris Costas of Port St. Lucie, FL.

Preceding Tom in death are his parents, brothers Paul and Charles Ohren, and his sister Mary Costas.

A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held Friday, August 26, 2022 at 12:00 noon, at the Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will be private.

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