Michael L. Jones, March 8, 1960 to September 24, 2026

Our brother, Michael Jones, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Via Christi St Francis. He was born in Winfield, Ks on March 8, 1960. He was the son of Richard and Mary Ellen (Thomas) Jones.

Mike Jones graduated from Derby High School and Kansas Truck Driving School earning his CDL. Mike spent his childhood on the Ninnescah River along side his 6 brothers and 2 sisters. He spent his youth swimming and seining bait, running trout lines, fishing, and exploring. To get us out of the water, mother would tell the kids the alligators come out at 3:30pm. Life was never quite in his large catholic home, they had enough kids to form their own baseball team, and our neighbors, the Krenzers, had enough for the other team!

Childhood was countless baseball games, red rover red rover, and hide and seek that only paused when darkness fell.

Mike was an artist at heart he had a special talent for drawing, leaving behind beautiful expressions of landscapes, wildlife and his favorite woodpeckers. Whether it was a classic John Wayne Film or a gritty modern tale, his favorite was sitting down to a good western movie.

By trade, he was a skilled heavy equipment operator who took great pride in operating any piece of machinery, his career included years of service with Mills Sand Pit, Yisidro Trucking and Wickman – Bush Tire.

Left to cherish his memory, sons, Clay Jones (Rhianon), Christopher Sanders, siblings; Bennie Ray (Nancy, Carol Ann Estes, sister in law, Robin Jones, Mark Anthony (Thany), Joseph Matthew, Pauline Anne, Paul Richard (Paula), and 7 nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his brother, James Henry Jones, his parents Richard and Mary Ellen Jones, brother in law, Don Estes.

Mass will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church 2300 E Meadowlark in Derby, Ks on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 1:30 p.m, burial to follow at El Paso Cemetery in Derby, Ks. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Lord’s Diner 520 N Broadway St Wichita, Ks 67214.