Joann Jones Obituary

Joann (nee Crecelius) Jones

Sep 4, 1945 - Nov 13, 2025

Silverton

Joann (nee Crecelius) Jones, 80, of Silverton, Idaho, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Silverton of Cascadia Health and Rehabilitation, Silverton. Joann was born September 4, 1945, in Milan, Ohio.

After graduating from Milan High School, she attended Heidelberg College and The Ohio State University. She received her master's degree from OSU and met her husband, Richard (Dick), there. Together they led an adventurous life, taking them to Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Next to Viola, Idaho, where they built a mountainside home designed by Joann, and then to Moscow, Idaho.

Joann first taught home economics at the University of New Mexico and then at the University of Idaho. Her area of focus was on historic furnishings, from cavemen to the present day. From the beginning, furniture functioned as a window into the past for her. She found a new career by assigning students to research furniture.

She then took on the position of curator of Latah County Historical Society headquartered in Moscow, Idaho. She led the restoration of the McConnel Mansion, worked with historical artifacts, conducted research, created exhibits and labeled pieces on display. She also wrote a weekly column on local history for Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

Joann was awarded the 2015 Esto Perpetua Award. This award is given to those who have preserved and promoted Idaho's heritage.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Richard (Dick); son, Zak and his wife Kady, and granddaughter, Skylar, all of Idaho; and a brother, Wayne Crecelius of Milan, Ohio. She is also survived by 16 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Dorothea (nee Cull) Crecelius; her son, Ethan Jones; her brothers, Herman and James Crecelius; her sisters, Alvina (nee Crecelius) Schaeffer, and Ruth (nee Crecelius) Kyle. She was also preceded in death by her niece, Colleen (nee Crecelius) Peeler.

A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. January 17, 2026, at St. John's United Church of Christ, 2712 W Mason Road, Milan, Ohio. A time of fellowship and lunch will be served in the church basement, immediately following service. All are welcome to attend.

Memorial contribu-tions in Joann's memory may be made to Latah County Historical Society in Moscow, Idaho or to St. John's United Church of Christ in Milan, Ohio.