Gilbert N. Jones, 81, longtime Faith barber and sportsman, passed away late the afternoon of Nov. 14th at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Funeral services will be Monday, Nov. 21st at 10:30 AM at the Church of Christ, Faith, with Calvin Chapman, Minister, officiating. Interment with Military Honors by the Faith V.F.W. and Legion will be at approximately 2 PM at the Chance Cemetery, rural Perkins Co.
Visitations will be Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 7 PM at Faith Area Memorial Chapel in Faith. A memorial has been established.


Gilbert N. Jones was born on Dec. 3, 1923 to Earl V. and Gertrude (Differding) Jones at their ranch-homestead near Rabbit Creek, Perkins Co., northwest of Usta. He grew up there and attended the Happy Hill School a couple miles away, completing the eighth grade. At a young age he began helping with the ranch chores, breaking horses and herding sheep on neighboring ranches for neighbors. He rode horseback many miles to and from Faith for supplies and the mail in those early years.

In 1944 Gilbert joined the US Navy and served during WWII on the USS Mountrail in the Southwest Pacific. Upon his discharge in 1946 he returned to the Faith area to go into ranching. There he met Edna L. Schomer, and in 1948 he went to a Barber College in Sioux City, Iowa. After his graduation, he asked Edna to catch a bus to Sioux City and on her birthday, April 8, 1948 they were married there.

They returned to Faith and Gilbert began barbering with Narcisse Rich and delivered propane gas for John Fisher during the winter months. On Dec. 21, 1949, their son, Curtis A. was born and two years later, Kim D. joined the family on March 30, 1952. Gilbert established his own shop on the front of their home. He barbered in Faith for 57years, until this past summer when failing health forced his retirement. He mentioned that he didn't miss cutting hair as much as he missed visiting with all his customers and serving as the local "information" center.

In September he was honored by the SD Barbers. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and organized the Faith Area Big Buck contest for many years. The family
spent many enjoyable days outdoors. He also loved sports and helped develop the local baseball field on the north edge of Faith with Hall Lee and other volunteers, enjoyed a good rodeo and pitched many games of horseshoe through the years.

Gilbert was a member of the Church of Christ, the V. F. W. and the American Legion.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Edna of Faith, sons; Curtis and his wife, Sue of Black Hawk, SD, Kim and his wife, Robin of rural Faith, grandchildren; Melissa and Matt Stahlecker of Farmington, NM, Luke Jones, rural Faith and Cash Jones of Spearfish, great grandchildren, Curtis Stahlecker, Joshua and Isaac Jones. He also leaves one sister; Alice Hall of Meadow, two brothers and sisters in law; Clinton and Lila June Jones, Ronald and Ruth Jones all of Dowling, Michigan, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Esther Schley and brothers, Lawrence, George and Glenn.

Arrangements are under the guidance of Faith Area Memorial Chapel, Eldon Jensen Family Funeral Homes of Caring®.