Jones, Wilma L.

Age 99, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 29, 2016 at St. Paul’s House in Chicago. She was born on July 15, 1916 in South Bend, Indiana to Ernest and Agnes (Prikoszovits) Dragan. At age 16, Wilma independently moved herself to Chicago. For several years, she worked as a nanny and a housekeeper in rooming houses on the Northside of the city. In 1946 she became a hairdresser and owned her own salon, Frederic’s Beauty Salon, in the Gold Coast for over 50 years. In November 1947, Wilma married Robert Jones. Together, they enjoyed a great martini, traveling on special long drives especially to Baldwin, Michigan, Elkhart Lake car races, and adventures that involved the path less traveled. Wilma had a zest for life, which she filled with faith, generosity, and love for nearly 100 years. She loved reading, attending church every day, appreciating nature, paying careful attention to her health, and taking her daily walks, as she never drove a day in her life. Her contagious smile and positive attitude endeared her to family, friends, clients, and her beloved neighbors whom she held close to her heart. Wilma was a longtime resident of the North Center neighborhood, a faithful parishioner at St. Benedict’s Church, and dear friend to the many neighbors and children on her block.

Wilma’s family would like to extend our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the family that has lived next door for nearly 20 years, cared selflessly and lovingly for Wilma, and whom Wilma considered her own children and grandchildren, Gretchen, Paul, Edward and Anne Decker. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Agnes Dragan; husband, Robert Jones; brothers, Rudolph and Frederick Dragan; sisters, Margaret Balogh and Louise Balint. Wilma is survived by her brother, Ernest Dragan (Oxnard, California); sister, Dorothy Heet (South Bend, Indiana), and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren, great-great-nieces and nephews and step-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service and celebration of Wilma’s life will be held at St. Benedict’s Church, 2215 W. Irving Park Road on July 15, 2016, when she would have turned 100 years old. Time of service will be determined at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to: College of the Ozarks, 100 Opportunity Avenue, Lookout Point, Missouri 65726 or St. Benedict’s Church. Arrangements by

Grein Funeral Directors 773-588-6336 or greinfuneraldirectors.com