Shirley Jones

Shirley (Chamberlain) Jones passed away at Lexington Regional Health Care Center on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. 

Born in North Platte Nebraska on June 14, 1940, to Milton and Ruth Chamberlain, she was always proud that her birthday was on Flag Day. She grew up in North Platte, graduating with the class of 1958 at North Platte High School. That summer she married Kenneth E Jones, and they spent 62 years together prior to his passing in 2020. The couple and their two children Rochelle (Steve) Hagan and Bob (Tammy) Jones moved to Lexington then Aurora and Hastings prior to moving back to Lexington in 1971. During those years Shirley worked in various jobs, but her favorites were working the Woolworth luncheonette in Hastings and also at the Hasting Jr. High School as a cafeteria cashier. After returning to Lexington, Shirley was employed by Al’s Meat Market, Maloley’s IGA, and the Lexington Bowling Alley.

 In 1990 Shirley and Ken moved back to North Platte Nebraska to be closer to her mother. She worked at Wal-Mart in North Platte and then transferred to Wal-Mart in Lexington when they after the passing of Shirley’s mother. She retired in 2020 to help care for Kenneth due to his health.

Shirley was an avid bowler and is in the Lexington Bowling Association Hall of Fame as well as the national Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame. She served as an officer in the local, state and national bowling associations, and enjoyed competing in many state and national tournaments. She also coached the Lexington Special Olympics bowling team for several years and enjoyed helping everyone and anyone learn to and enjoy bowling.

She and Ken were avid sports fans and she followed the Nebraska Cornhuskers as well as the Kansas City Chiefs. She especially loved following the Husker volleyball team. Beyond those sports she loved watching her son Bob both play and coach as well as watch her grandchildren and great grandchildren participate in sport and other activities. Shirley and Ken enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling together, and taking their grandkids on short vacations.

The most important thing to Shirley was her family and her precious shit-zu PeeVee. Many games of Kings on the Corner, cribbage, Old Maid, scrabble, pitch and aggravation were played around the table with her and the grand and great grandkids. Any time spent with any of them was special to her.

Shirley’s personality and fun-loving kind spirit served her well. You could hardly go out locally that someone didn’t know her and stop to talk to her.

Shirley is survived by her children Rochelle (Steve) Hagan of Yorktown, Indiana, Bob(Tammy) Jones of Austin Texas, grandchildren Amanda (Dain) Kavars, Olivia and Emmalyn of Yorktown Indiana, Kent (Heidi Mueske), Gavin, Pierce, Nolan, Cora and Clara all of Rochester Minnesota, Alex Jones and his daughter Evie of Denver Colorado and Andrew Johnson of Texas, sister Carolyn Rhoden of North Platte, sister-in-law Patty Jones of Beatrice, several nieces and nephews, her dog PeeVee and special friends Veronica (Tommy) Smith and Nancy (Terry) Gullion of Lexington, and Demaris Labs of Kearney. 

She was preceded in death by her Husband Kenneth in 2020, her parents Milton and Ruth Chamberlain, mother and father-in-law Raleigh and Helen Jones, brother-in-law John T Rhoden, sisters and brothers-in-law Bob and Eileen Boltz, Loren and Betty Snyder, Norma and Lee Knoble, Robert and Kathy Jones and Larry Jones.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with Lay Minister Sarah Neben officiating.

A Luncheon will be held after the service at the Legend Oaks Community Room in Lexington.

Inurnment will be held on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials are kindly suggested to be made towards the Lexington Youth Bowling Association.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com