Martin "Marty" Charles Jones

Martin “Marty” Charles Jones, 88 of Allegan, Michigan, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.  Born May 24, 1934, in Allegan, Michigan, he was the son of the late Carl and Helen (Lacert) Jones.  As a young man, Marty married his first love, Callie Sue Lones, and together they raised two boys, Dick and Bobby, and were able to spend 53 years together as husband and wife.  Marty was a hardworking, but fun-loving guy, who put a great deal of time into working.  He spent 23 years as the owner/operator of Jones Excavating and then went on to own and operate the Kalamazoo Speedway.  As a young boy, Marty was raised to have a love of racing.  His father owned Jones Speedway so it was only natural that Marty would take an interest in racing.  He enjoyed racing himself and later became a car owner that he had others race for him.  After the death of his first love, Marty was fortunate to meet his second love, Ellen (Slagter) Eding, and they were able to share 16 years together, almost 12 as husband and wife.  Together they had fun working the Novelty Stand at the Kalamazoo Speedway.   Spending time fishing was one of Marty’s favorite pastimes, and with the fish he caught (either bluegills from Lake 16 or walleye from Lake Leelanau), he was able to hold many fish fries for the seniors at Oak Grove Bible Church.  He also loved his vegetable garden, which many said was able to feed the whole neighborhood by the time September came.  Having been a part of so many things, it’s easy to understand that Marty met lifetime friends through his time at Jones Speedway, Jones Excavating, Kalamazoo Speedway and the Oak Grove Bible Church. People were drawn to and appreciated his teasing, jokester personality, as well as his stubbornness and gentleness.  So many different traits to describe one man, but so many reasons to care and remember him with love.

Marty is survived by his wife, Ellen; two sons, Dick (Patricia) Jones and Bobby (Phyllis) Jones; one stepson, Terry (Sandy) Eding; three sisters, Joyce Kizer, Judy DeRoo, Jan Roberts; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service will be held where Marty will be laid to rest in Mallory Cemetery, Trowbridge Township, Pastor David Ives officiating.  A Celebration of Life is being planned, with a tentative date of July 16th, at the Kalamazoo Speedway.  Updates will be posted as soon as they become available.  Memorial donations may be made in Marty’s name to the American Kidney Fund ­­­­­­­­­­­­(11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 / https://www.kidneyfund.org) or to Oak Grove Bible Church, 7655 Ravine Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

We will be posting updates to the day and time of the Celebration of Life as soon as it has been finalized.  Please check back periodically.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martin "Marty" Charles Jones, please visit our floral store.