Cliff “Teddy Bear” Jones – Benton, IL

Cliff “Teddy Bear” Jones, age 76, of Benton, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 1:00 a.m. Sunday, August 13, 2023, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the Immanuel Baptist Church, 516 North Main Street, Benton, Illinois 62812, with Dr. Kirk Kay, officiating. The burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation services will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Clifton Ernest Jones was born on June 1, 1947, in McComb, Mississippi; the son of Ernest L. Jones and Grace (Williams) Jones. He married the former Judith Ann Elimon on August 6, 1966, and she preceded him in death on April 11, 2014. Together they shared just shy 48 years of marriage. He would later marry the former Sheila (Lewis) Anderson on November 29, 2014, and she survives.

Cliff worked in the coal mining industry. In the coal mines is where he got his nickname “Teddy Bear.” He formerly worked with Inland Steel, CONSOL, and Ker-McGee mines.

He enjoyed everything about railroads and trains. He loved to travel and spend time with his family, especially his grandkids, and he loved being “Pa Pa.” He even had magnetic signs on his vehicle that showed he operated Pa Pa’s Taxi. He loved being there for his grandchildren and sharing in every part of their life.

He was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton.

Surviving is his loving wife Sheila of Benton, Illinois; three daughters: Leigh Ann Ward and husband Jim of Benton, Illinois, Kelly Kanzaki and husband Ty of Bettendorf, Iowa, Lori Craven and husband Chuck of Benton, Illinois; Sheila’s two children: Duane Anderson of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Sherry Collier and husband Garrett of Benton, Illinois; 15 grandchildren: Jennifer Summers, Daulton Ward and wife Brooklyn, Ashtyn Ward, Jenny Ward Head and husband Jamie, Allison Ward Anthis and husband Brad, Zachary Chaplain, Alex Chaplain, Katie Kanzaki, Dillan Chamness and wife Katelyn, Tyler Chamness, A.J. Craven, Megan Anderson, Ryan Anderson, Kameron Metzger, Kendra Metzger; 9 great-grandchildren: Anais Dove, Cheshire Dove, Trevor Head, Nathan Head, A.J. Head, Aria Anthis, Maverick Anthis, Whitlee Ward, Barrett Ward; sister-in-law Mary Jones of McComb, Mississippi; brother-in-law Evan Lewis and wife Denise of Thompsonville, Illinois; other family including Brooke Holman and husband Steve and son Drew.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents: Ernest L. Jones and Grace (Williams) Jones Bowers; his first wife Judith Ann (Elimon) Jones; a son-in-law Mark Chaplain, a granddaughter April Dawn Chaplain, and a brother Dennis Jones.

The family prefers Memorial contributions, in memory of Cliff, be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church; and will be accepted at the services on Wednesday.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Cliff; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.