Richard E. Jones

Richard Earl Jones, age 85, of Strasburg, passed away on Monday, October 2nd surrounded by his loving family, after a long, courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Born November 20, 1931 in Dover, Ohio, Richard was the son of the late Delbert and Florence Jones.

Richard graduated from Dover High School in 1949 and enlisted in the Army, where he was stationed in San Luis Obispo, California and Trois Fontaine in France. He was an active member of the First Moravian Church of Dover all his life. God gifted Richard with a love of music and a wonderful tenor solo voice. He sang in the Moravian Chancel Choir for 75 years and was well-known throughout the Tuscarawas Valley for his beautiful voice, singing at numerous weddings and funerals. He also used his singing talent in the Schoenbrunn Valley Barbershop Chorus of Dover, the Hall of Fame Barbershop Chorus of Canton, and in many quartets over the years. He loved four-part harmony and had many fond memories of those fellow singers and friends he made along the way.

He married the love of his life, Gloretta M. Holt-Matheny in 1961 and together they raised a family. After working 25+ years at the A & P Tea Company and several years making kitchen cabinets at Cabinet Cote in Canton, Richard spent his retired years travelling and doting on his 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. His family was the joy and source of the greatest blessings in his life and he loved taking pictures and making videos of their lives.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Gloretta M. Jones and his three children; Tim Matheny of Strasburg, Scott Jones (Karol) of New Phila, Lisa Glasgow (Phil) of Navarre, his grandchildren; Eric, Erik, Marissa, Meghan, Mariah, Mackenzie and Nathan, and his great-grandchildren; Ethan, Elliott, Elizabeth and Joshua.

Friends may call at the First Moravian Church in Dover on Monday, October 9th from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. In honor of Richard’s love of singing, a hymn sing will start at 3:30 with funeral services starting at 4:00 pm with Pastor John Wallace and Denny Rohn officiating. Following the service, a luncheon will be held in the church social hall. The Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover is handling arrangements.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the chancel choir at the First Moravian Church of Dover at 319 North Walnut St., Dover, Ohio. The family would also like to acknowledge the staff at The Cancer Center in Dover, the Nurses of Union Hospital and the Staff at the Inn at Northwood Village for the wonderful care and kindness shown to Richard while he was in their care.