“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your generosity and glorify your Father in heaven.”
– Matthew 5:14-16
Marion was born on May 5, 1942, to Louis and Georgina Schweihofer in St. Clair, MI. Marion last shined in this world on June 14, 2025. This farm girl from a big family, married her high school sweetheart, Walt Jones, on June 20, 1964. They moved across the state and ended up in Holland where they raised their four children.
Marion and Walt celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last summer on June 20. This summer, these two soulmates were able to celebrate together… a week early.
Marion lived out this Scripture from Matthew so beautifully. She shined so bright! She gave radiant light to everyone in her home.
Marion and Walt’s strong Catholic faith informed how they led their lives and how they shaped the values of their four children while growing up. As their family expanded with marriages, grandchildren, and one great granddaughter – Marion’s lavish light and love grew too. Family was everything to Marion Jones.
Family
Always
Means
I
Love
You
Marion didn’t stop with her own family. Her gifts shined into the lives and hearts of everyone she encountered. Marion was a grade school teacher, a volunteer at St. Francis de Sales School, a member of the Junior Welfare League, and an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.
All who knew her will remember her most for her extraordinary love, warmth, generosity, pure joy, deep care, compassion, and her servant heart. The expression of her love usually involved flowers.
Hospitality and holidays were Marion’s specialties. If the doorbell rang with surprise guests, a full smorgasbord of food would be on the island before they even reached the kitchen. If a boat ride was mentioned, big bags of beach towels and snacks and coolers of drinks would be ready to go within minutes. Holidays took this gift of hospitality to untold heights with abundant food, themed decorations for every holiday, and of course the usual fresh flowers in the bedrooms.
Mom’s hospitality even made headlines. The newspaper did a feature story on mom’s famous tailgaters at the University of Notre Dame. Not only because they were enormous and featured her celebrated Special K Bars and taco dip, but also because the menu had deep nostalgic roots back to Walt’s parents and their fried chicken tailgaters.
Marion is survived by her husband of nearly sixty-one years, Walt Jones, daughters Karen (Ken) Richelsen, Susan Conley and sons David (Ann) Jones and Kevin (Sari) Jones. Twelve grandchildren Eric (Caroline), Ryan (Shannon), Matthew (Ashley), Mark, Sean (Riley), Lauren, Nicholas, Katherine, Maria, Genevieve, Charlotte, Vivienne and great granddaughter, Holley. Siblings Ann Linsday, Jerry (Linda) Schweihofer, sister-in-law Elaine Schweihofer and nieces and nephews.
Marion was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Jim and Jack (Rose) Schweihofer and Louise (Jim) Courville.
We grieve with assured hope…
Standing near our lighthouse Big Red, on the pier at Lake Michigan, we see Marion as a ship disappearing into the horizon and we grieve and say, “There she goes.” But Jesus assured us that… at that very moment, when we can no longer see her here, He will be on a far distant shore rejoicing and announcing to all of Heaven, “Here she comes!”
– Adaptation of essay by Bishop Charles Henry Brent
Monday, July 7, 2025
11:00am Funeral Mass
Food will be provided after the mass
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church
480 152nd Avenue, Holland MI 49424
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to:
Our Lady of the Lake Church: 480 152nd Avenue, Holland, MI 49424
Saint Cecilia’s Church: 5632 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919
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