Erma Kay Jones, age 85, of Louisville, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 15, 2025, in the comfort of her home.

Erma was born on October 20, 1940, in Oskaloosa Township, the daughter of Coban and Imogene (Krutsinger) Smith. She married Robert G. "Bob" Jones on October 18, 1957, at the Louisville Christian Church. Together, they shared nearly 68 years of marriage before Bob preceded her in death on September 29, 2025.

Throughout their marriage, Erma worked side by side with Bob operating Robert G. Jones Trucking. Together, they hauled rock, grain, and spread limestone. In addition to helping with the trucking business, Erma also drove a school bus when they owned and operated the Louisville school buses, and she continued as a driver after it became the North Clay School District. She was loved by the students just as deeply as she loved them.

Erma found joy in knitting, crocheting, and ceramics. Although she humbly claimed she was not a good cook, her family would wholeheartedly disagree. Her Saturday afternoon lunches were legendary, surpassed only by her holiday meals. To this day, no one has been able to replicate her chocolate chip cookies.

Family played the central role in Erma's life. She cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and took great pride in her role as a matriarch. Alongside Bob, she faithfully attended her grandchildren's sporting events, offering unwavering support and encouragement that created memories her family will treasure forever.

A longtime member of North Harter Christian Church, Erma was active in her faith community and lived out its values of kindness, generosity, and service. Her steady presence was a source of comfort and encouragement to many.

Erma is survived by her three children, Julie (Kelly) Stortzum of Hord, Debbie (Jeff) Cox of Louisville, and Steve (Kim) Jones of Decatur; nine grandchildren, Mandy (Keith) Probst, Kyle (Natalie) Stortzum, Ashley (Casey) Elmore, Lorissa (Ryan) Wolfe, Andrew (Whitney) Cox, Aaron (Kelsey) Cox, Alyse (Connor) Cross, Adam (Morgan) Cox, and Derek Jones; two step-grandchildren, Grant Holt and Olivia Holt; twenty-five great-grandchildren; a brother, Lyle (Leah) Smith of Toledo, Illinois; a sister, Merle Smith of Mason, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Erma was preceded in death by her parents; a great-granddaughter, Emalyn Cross; a brother and sister-in-law, Paul (Fran) Smith; a sister, Una Marie Colclasure; and her father- and mother-in-law, John Paul and Gladys Jones.

Funeral services to celebrate Erma's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at McGriff Funeral Home in Louisville, with Casey Elmore and Joe Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Orchard Hill Cemetery in Louisville. Visitation will be held Friday at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Erma's memory to the Clay County Food Pantry, with envelopes available at the funeral home.

McGriff Funeral Home of Louisville is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory of Erma, please visit www.mcgriffandtriplettfh.com.