Steven F. "Steve" Jones, 68, of Ossian, passed away Saturday morning, Jan. 15, 2022, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Steve was born in Michigan City, IN, on Dec. 27, 1953, to Homer and Opal (Jenkins) Jones.  He married Rhonda F. Johnson in Stilesville, IN, on Jan. 7, 1978; she survives.

A 1972 graduate of South Side High School, Steve went on to serve in the United States Army from 1973 until 1975.  He was the lead pastor at Pleasant Mills Baptist Church for three years and a long-time member of Ossian Church of the Nazarene, where he was also an ordained minister.  Steve worked at J.D.H. Food Service for 11 years and retired from Alliance Winding Equipment after 28 years of service.

Steve had a passion for Norwell High School athletics.  He was known not only for his attendance at volleyball, girls' and boys' basketball, football, and softball games, but also for praying with the teams.  He even enjoyed attending Norwell Middle School boys' and girls' basketball games when his schedule would allow.  If he wasn't attending Norwell athletic events, Steve enjoyed spending time with his son Nathaniel, playing sports trivia and watching Chicago Bears games.

In addition to his wife, Steve is survived by his son, Nathaniel E. Jones of Ossian; five brothers, Howard Jones of LaPorte, Fred Allen of New Haven, Leonard (Jean) Jones of Fort Wayne, Paul Jones of Fort Wayne, and Kenneth (Christie) Jones of Fort Wayne; and four sisters, Norma (Ralph) Booker of Plymouth, Alice (Jerry) Yacullo of Michigan City, Barbara Noe of Ossian, and Edith (Joel) Clemmer of Fort Wayne.

Aside from his parents, Steve was preceded in death by four sisters, Wanda Bowmar, Joyce, Edna Mae Bentley, and Lorretta Dunn.

Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, from 2:00 until 7:00 PM, at Goodwin – Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton.  Services will be held on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at 10:30, at the funeral home, with one hour of visitation prior to the service.  Private burial will follow at Highland Park Cemetery in Fort Wayne.

Memorial contributions may be made to Norwell High School Athletics or Ossian Church of the Nazarene.